Rice’s Grand Slam Keeps Yankees Two Back in AL East

In a high-stakes late-season clash, **Ben Rice** delivered one of the most memorable moments of his young career. He blasted a 10th-inning grand slam that propelled the New York Yankees to a vital 7-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

The extra-inning win kept the Yankees within striking distance of the first-place Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East. It set up an intense finish to the regular season.

With the playoff race tightening, Rice’s heroics not only added to his growing reputation. He kept New York’s hopes for a division title alive—at least for now.

Ben Rice’s Breakout Performance

The 26-year-old rookie has been splitting time between catcher, first base, and designated hitter. He turned in yet another impressive display at the plate.

Rice recorded his second career four-hit game and drove in five runs. That kind of clutch hitting can really define a pennant race, can’t it?

His sixth-inning RBI single tied the game at 1. Then, his extra-inning grand slam sealed the win in emphatic fashion.

A Rookie Making a Veteran Impact

Not many first-year players can carry a team in September. Rice has been doing just that.

With 24 home runs in his first full MLB season, he’s quickly becoming a cornerstone of the Yankees’ offense. Manager Aaron Boone praised Rice’s “terrific” performance, highlighting not just his power but his consistency and work behind the plate, too.

How the Game Unfolded

For much of the contest, the game was a tense, low-scoring duel. Baltimore struck first, but the Yankees didn’t go quietly.

In the top of the sixth, Rice stepped up and delivered a sharp single to bring home the game-tying run. From that point, both teams’ bullpens kept things locked down and forced extra innings.

The 10th Inning Spark

The turning point came when Aaron Judge drew a walk and Cody Bellinger followed with a single. That loaded the bases for Rice.

With the count in his favor, Rice unleashed a thunderous swing. He sent the ball deep into the right-field stands.

It was the kind of moment Yankee fans live for. Power, timing, and poise under pressure—what more could you ask for?

Series Win Keeps Yankees in the Race

The win in Baltimore meant the Yankees took three out of four games from their division rivals. That’s an enormous boost in the standings as they chase the Blue Jays.

However, with Toronto holding the head-to-head tiebreaker, New York knows it has almost no room for error in the coming weeks. The pressure isn’t letting up.

What’s Next for the Yankees

Up next, the Yankees return home for a critical series against the Chicago White Sox. Then, they’ll face another showdown with the Orioles.

Every game carries postseason implications. Rice’s emergence feels perfectly timed.

Asked about the playoff push, Rice stayed humble. He emphasized his focus on “just helping the team win” in these pivotal matchups.

Key Takeaways from the Game

• Ben Rice is emerging as a clutch performer – With multi-hit games and impressive home run totals, he’s proving he belongs among the league’s rising stars.
• The Yankees’ bullpen delivered under pressure – Keeping the game tied late set the stage for Rice’s heroics.
• The division race remains razor-thin – Every win is crucial with the Blue Jays still holding the upper hand.

The Bigger Picture

The regular season’s almost over, and the Yankees’ playoff hopes might really hinge on just a few moments. Rice’s grand slam on Sunday? That might be one of the biggest yet.

If New York can ride the energy from their weekend in Baltimore, maybe they can still snag the AL East crown. It’s a long shot, but hey, stranger things have happened.

For Rice, this game meant more than just numbers on a stat sheet. He finally got to show he can handle the spotlight and the pressure.

Fans in the Bronx have every reason to feel excited about his future. Whether the Yankees catch Toronto or not, this kid’s star is definitely rising.

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Here is the source article for this story: Rice’s grand slam helps Yankees keep pace with Toronto; NY trails by 2 games in AL East with 6 left