ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 9 (Reuters) — Ben Rice’s go-ahead two-run triple in the sixth inning ignited a 12-4 rout of the Tampa Bay Rays, ending the New York Yankees’ offensive slump.
The rookie’s clutch hit followed a pregame speech from Jazz Chisholm Jr. that awoke the lineup.
Down 0-0 in the sixth, Rice drove a 1-2 fastball from Rays reliever Colin Poche into the right-center gap. Two runners scored. The Yankees never looked back.
Chisholm’s speech was precise. “Good timing,” he told reporters postgame. “We needed a spark.”
The Yankees had scored three or fewer runs in five of their previous six games. Batting average in that span: .198.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s Pregame Speech: ‘Good Timing’ That Awakened the Yankees’ Offense
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed the speech lasted under two minutes. “He said we were waiting for someone else to do it. Stop waiting.”
Ben Rice acknowledged the impact. “Jazz got us locked in. We fed off that energy.”
The speech worked immediately. The Yankees scored two runs in the first inning on an Aaron Judge double.
The Clutch At-Bat: Ben Rice’s Go-Ahead Two-Run Triple
With runners on first and second and one out, Rice faced Poche. Count: 1-2. Pitch: 96 mph fastball, inner half.
Rice’s mechanics were textbook. He stayed back, drove the ball to the gap. Center fielder Jose Siri misjudged the trajectory, allowing the triple.
Exit velocity: 107.3 mph. Distance: 412 feet. The crowd of 32,147 erupted.
From 0-0 to 12-4: How the Yankees’ Offense Exploded
The Yankees scored five runs in the sixth, three in the seventh, two in the eighth.
Key contributors: Aaron Judge (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI), Giancarlo Stanton (3-run double in the seventh), Anthony Volpe (2 RBI single).
The bullpen held the Rays to two runs over the final four innings. Reliever Ian Hamilton struck out three in the seventh.
Statistical contrast: The Yankees’ 12 runs matched their total from the previous three games combined.
Impact on the Yankees’ Season: A Defining Victory
The win improved the Yankees to 52-38, moving them within 2.5 games of the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles.
“This could be the turning point,” Boone said. “We saw what we’re capable of.”
Ben Rice is batting .291 with an .849 OPS since his call-up on June 1. His emergence adds depth to a lineup that had relied heavily on Judge and Stanton.
Conclusion: The Recipe for a Run
The recipe is clear: a pregame speech, a rookie’s triple, and an offense that finally exploded.
If the Yankees sustain this momentum, they are a legitimate playoff threat.
Watch the highlights of Ben Rice’s triple and Jazz’s speech. The question now: is this the start of a deep run?
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What was Ben Rice’s go-ahead triple?
- A: In the sixth inning of a scoreless game, Ben Rice hit a two-run triple off Rays reliever Colin Poche, driving a 96 mph fastball into the right-center gap at 107.3 mph. The hit scored two runners and ignited a 12-4 Yankees victory.
- Q: How did Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s pregame speech impact the Yankees?
- A: Jazz Chisholm Jr. delivered a under-two-minute speech before the game, telling teammates to stop waiting for someone else to spark the offense. The speech immediately energized the lineup, leading to two runs in the first inning and a total of 12 runs in the game.
- Q: Why was this game significant for the Yankees?
- A: The Yankees had scored three or fewer runs in five of their previous six games with a .198 batting average. Ben Rice’s triple ended the offensive slump and marked a turning point for a team struggling to produce runs.
Extended Reading
For further analysis on Ben Rice’s performance and the Yankees’ season outlook, refer to the MLB.com recap of the game (July 9, 2026).