The Yankees pulled off their trademark power surge in Tampa, delivering back-to-back-to-back home runs for the third time this season. In the first inning against the Rays and right-hander Shane Baz, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton connected on seven pitches to stake New York to a 3-0 lead.
Judge sent a 423-foot drive to center for his 40th homer of the year, followed by Bellinger’s 381-foot shot to right and Stanton’s 386-foot blast to right-center. The sequence gave the Yankees a quick edge and showcased the team’s depth in the heart of the lineup.
Stathead’s Katie Sharp notes that the feat places the Yankees in elite company, joining the 2024 Dodgers and the 1982 Brewers as the only teams to hit back-to-back-to-back homers at least three times in a single season. The other two occurrences this season came on March 29 against the Brewers and April 29 against the Orioles. In both of those games, the trio opened the first inning, contributing to four straight homers against the Brewers in one of the rallies. Judge was involved in all three three-homer bursts, with Bellinger participating in two of them.
This display underscores the Yankees’ lineup depth and power, with Judge continuing to pace the offense and Bellinger contributing notable early-round thunder alongside Stanton. If this kind of early-game production can be sustained, New York could build early momentum in more games this season and keep pressure on opposing pitching.
Summary: The Yankees produced their third instance this season of back-to-back-to-back homers in the first inning, moving into rare company and highlighting a potent lineup headlined by Judge, Bellinger and Stanton against the Rays. The trio’s rhythm—especially Judge’s continued involvement—adds a bright note for fans as the team pursues ongoing success. If the offense keeps delivering bursts like this, optimism for the team’s ceiling grows.