MLB》Entering Home Run Derby Mode! Yankees Slugger Hits Two Homers, Crushing 28 HRs, 4 Homers in Last 4 Games

New York Yankees slugger Ben Rice is hitting like he's already in the Home Run Derby. The 27-year-old, making his first All-Star appearance, blasted two home runs in the Yankees' dominant 12-4 win over the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Rice's homers brought his season total to 28, placing him third in Major League Baseball.

Rice has emerged as a primary source of offense for the Yankees while captain Aaron Judge has been sidelined with an injury. Having recently announced his participation in this year's Home Run Derby, Rice appears to be entering a "fireworks show mode" early. His two-homer performance on Friday included blasts in the third and sixth innings. This marks his fourth home run in his last four games, showcasing a significant surge in power.

In Friday's game, Rice went 2-for-4 with both hits being home runs, driving in a team-high five runs and drawing a walk. He is now batting .275 with an .956 OPS (on-base plus slugging). The Yankees' offense exploded for 14 hits, including three home runs, with six players recording multiple hits. The pitching staff utilized a bullpen-by-committee approach, with seven pitchers taking the mound. Ryan Yarbrough pitched one scoreless inning of relief to earn his first win of the season.

The victory snapped the Yankees' two-game losing streak. The team split the four-game series with the Rays, securing two wins. They now hold a 51-42 record, remaining in second place in the AL East, four games behind the division-leading Rays.