WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a display of offensive dominance not seen in over two decades, the New York Yankees erupted for 13 runs during a single inning on Sunday, marking their most explosive frame since 2005 as they overwhelmed the Athletics’ pitching staff.
The Athletics’ starting pitcher Jacob Lopez initially looked sharp, setting down all six Yankees hitters through the opening two innings. However, the third inning brought disaster as Lopez couldn’t record a single out against seven consecutive batters, beginning when Anthony Volpe reached base with a single.
The offensive barrage produced remarkable numbers: 11 hits and four walks across 18 plate appearances, requiring 75 pitches during their biggest inning since a 13-run eighth against Tampa Bay on June 21, 2005. The performance fell just one run short of the franchise’s single-inning record established on July 6, 1920, versus Washington.
Following Volpe’s leadoff hit, Lopez issued two walks before failing to cover first base on Paul Goldschmidt’s grounder with the bases loaded, resulting in an infield single and the first run. Ben Rice drove home two more with a double, Aaron Judge added a bloop single to center, and Cody Bellinger’s RBI hit ended Lopez’s outing.
Reliever Michael Kelly fared no better, as the next five hitters also reached safely, creating the first instance in 17 seasons where a team began an inning with 12 consecutive batters reaching base, according to Sportradar. The Boston Red Sox previously accomplished this feat on May 7, 2009, against Cleveland.
This represented the Yankees’ first streak of 12 straight batters reaching safely in an inning since September 11, 1949, in the opening game of a doubleheader against Washington. The performance came within two batters of the record since 1920, when Detroit achieved 14 consecutive in the sixth inning against the Yankees on June 17, 1925, with Hall of Famer Ty Cobb homering during that rally.
New York had already scored 10 runs before recording their first out when Goldschmidt struck out. Rice then delivered a two-run triple, becoming the first player to collect two multi-run extra-base hits within the same inning.
Bellinger concluded the scoring with another RBI single, marking the first time since 1950 that the Athletics surrendered at least 13 runs in a single inning. The last occurrence was 14 runs allowed in the first inning of a June 18 doubleheader’s second game that season.
Eight of the nine Yankees batters recorded at least one hit and one RBI during the frame, with Austin Wells being the sole exception despite drawing two walks. Every player in the lineup crossed home plate at least once.
The extended rally lasted 43 minutes, forcing Yankees starter Will Warren to warm up in the bullpen during his team’s at-bat to stay loose for his next pitching appearance.
