Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Ben Rice Seeks Another Yankees Breakthrough Against Red Sox
Ben Rice helped the Yankees beat the Red Sox 9-0 in the first playoff game.
He hit two home runs, a double and a single.
Those hits gave him six runs batted in.
Rice grew up near Boston but became a Yankees fan.
Cam Schlittler, another Massachusetts native, pitched very well for New York.
He allowed no runs and struck out 10 batters.
The Yankees now lead the short series by one game.
Boston must win Game 2 to keep playing.
Ben Rice went 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double and six RBIs in New York’s 9-0 Game 1 win.
Cam Schlittler struck out 10 over 6 1/3 scoreless innings for the Yankees.
Rice’s six RBIs tied New York’s single-game postseason record.
The Yankees lead the best-of-three American League Wild Card Series 1-0.
Max Fried will start Game 2 for New York against Boston’s Sonny Gray, with the Red Sox facing elimination.
- Who
- The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, led in Game 1 by Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler.
- What
- The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 9-0 in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series.
- When
- Game 1 was played Tuesday; Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night.
- Where
- Game 1 took place at Yankee Stadium in New York.
- Why
- The Yankees are trying to advance in the best-of-three series, while Boston must win Game 2 to force a deciding Game 3.
- Series score
- New York leads Boston 1-0 in the best-of-three series.
- Game 1 score
- Yankees 9, Red Sox 0.
- Ben Rice’s performance
- Four hits, two home runs, a double and six RBIs.
- Cam Schlittler’s performance
- 10 strikeouts over 6 1/3 scoreless innings and 117 pitches.
- Game 2 starters
- Max Fried for New York and Sonny Gray for Boston.
- Aaron Judge
- Judge remains out with a calf injury.
- Series history
- Teams taking a 1-0 lead in a best-of-three Wild Card Series have won 21 of 24 times, according to the article.