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Rice Leaves Game Injured After Pickoff; Yankees Triumph 11-3

5/4/2026

27 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Ben Rice Injured

Ben Rice left the May 3, 2026 game with a left-hand contusion after a pickoff by pitcher Max Fried.
He had gone 2-for-2 with a home run and a double before exiting.
Manager Aaron Boone said Rice is day-to-day after X-rays were negative and may miss one or two games.
Paul Goldschmidt took over at first base in the fourth inning as the Yankees secured an 11-3 win, improving to 23-11.

Summary

Yankees Homers

Yankees noted Rice and Aaron Judge became the first teammates since 1995 to each hit 12 homers in the first 35 games.
Rice said he expected a lower pickoff throw, causing a poor catch.
Orioles rookie Trey Gibson debuted, allowing three runs—including homers by Rice and Aaron Judge—over 4.2 innings.
The Texas Rangers will visit Yankee Stadium after the series, seeking revenge from their Arlington game.

History

Historical Context

Early-season home-run bursts have long tipped playoff races, from the Yankees’ 1978 surge that forced a one-game tie-breaker against Boston to the Red Sox’s 1993 turnaround that vaulted them from last place to a 97-65 record. The 1920 sale of Babe Ruth, which ignited the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, cemented New York’s focus on power as a strategic asset.

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Ben Rice Injured

Ben Rice left the May 3, 2026 game with a left-hand contusion after a pickoff by pitcher Max Fried.
He had gone 2-for-2 with a home run and a double before exiting.
Manager Aaron Boone said Rice is day-to-day after X-rays were negative and may miss one or two games.
Paul Goldschmidt took over at first base in the fourth inning as the Yankees secured an 11-3 win, improving to 23-11.

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