How Ben Rice, young guns led Yankees to Game 1 blowout win over Red Sox

How Ben Rice, young guns led Yankees to Game 1 blowout win over Red Sox originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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In Game 1 of the Wild Card series, the New York Yankees took Boston Red Sox with a 9-0 blowout. While the team got contributions across the board, it was Ben Rice who shined.

The slugging designated hitter had a strong season, surpassing the 40 home runs mark, and he carried that over to the postseason. Rice hit two huge home runs as the star of the night, but he was just one of several young Yankees to have strong performances.

Rice and ace Cam Schlittler stepped up this year amid an injury-riddled Yankees season, and it’s always the case that players can carry their success over to the playoffs. On this night, both Rice and Schlittler did what they did all year long.

Here’s how Rice, Schlittler and the other homegrown Yankees took Game 1.

MORE: Cam Schlittler dominates Red Sox again

Ben Rice makes history vs. Red Sox

While Cam Schlittler shut down the Red Sox offense, it was Ben Rice who put the game out of reach for with a huge offensive night. After collecting a double in his first at bat, the Yankees slugger really made his mark in the fifth inning by hitting a solo home run off of Erik Miller.

At the time, the home run to dead center gave the Yankees much-needed breathing room with a 2-0 lead.

Not a side. The main dish 🍚 pic.twitter.com/WiUDSfULZj

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 30, 2026

A few inning late, Rice added to the Yankees total with a bases-loaded RBI single to add on a third run, allowing New York to pull away. But it was in the eighth inning when Rice really produced the big blow, as he his a grand slam that made the contest a 9-0 blowout and sent Yankee Stadium into a frenzy.

Rice guys finish blast. pic.twitter.com/afe7NqeqKB

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 30, 2026

On the game, Rice totaled four hits and six RBIs, becoming the first player in Yankees history to produce that stat line. He also out-hit the Red Sox all by himself, as the Boston lineup produced just three hits through nine innings.

MORE: What to know about Ben Rice’s Boston’s roots

Yankees young players shine

Besides Rice, the Yankees won this game on the backs of their young hitters. Cam Schlittler shut out the Red Sox through 6.1 innings pitched as he continued to dominate the Red Sox, now producing stellar performances in six appearances against Boston.

On offense, Rice’s contributions led a strong showing from a variety of young players. Rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. produced three hits in his first postseason game, catcher Austin Wells had two big RBI hits, and Spencer Jones scored two runs.

With Aaron Judge out, the Yankees needed some other players to step up. On this night, it was the team’s homegrown hitters.