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47m ago

Ben Rice’s First-Pitch Homer Lifts Yankees to Winner-Take-All Game 3

The 26-year-old breakout bat reinforced his lineup case with a two-run shot after sitting Game 1.

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Ben Rice grew up in Massachusetts but loved the Yankees.
New York Yankees first base Ben Rice reacts as he tags the bag for the out completing the double play on a ball hit by Boston Red Sox Alex Bregman (2) to end the top of the third inning of Game 2 of an American League wild-card baseball playoff series, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Overview

  • Rice drilled a two-run first-inning homer on the first pitch of his first postseason at-bat off Brayan Bello to stake New York to a 2-0 lead.
  • The Yankees beat the Red Sox 4-3 in Game 2 to even the Wild Card series, setting up Thursday’s decisive Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.
  • Manager Aaron Boone said he has not decided on his Game 3 starters at catcher or first base, noting Boston will start left-hander Connelly Early.
  • Rice went 2-for-4 and became the first Yankee to homer in his first postseason plate appearance since Shane Spencer in 1998.
  • In his 2025 breakout, Rice hit .255/.337/.499 with 26 home runs while rotating between catcher, first base and DH, drawing praise from GM Brian Cashman.