Ben Rice’s Two Home Runs Lift Yankees Over Orioles 3-2, New York Secures Wild Card Berth – Game Recap Sept. 28, 2025

Sunday, September 28th, 2025

New York Yankees Edge Out Baltimore Orioles 3-2 to Close Regular Season with Eight-Game Win Streak

The New York Yankees surged to a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on September 28, 2025, at Yankee Stadium, capping their regular season with an impressive eight-game winning streak. Despite the triumph, the Yankees were poised to fall one win short of repeating as AL East champions, as the Toronto Blue Jays were leading the Tampa Bay Rays late in their game and would clinch the division and the tiebreaker over New York based on their season series advantage.

Ben Rice’s Power Sets the Tone

Rookie Ben Rice delivered a standout performance by smashing two home runs, including an opposite-field shot in the eighth inning that provided the go-ahead run. Rice also notched the Yankees’ record-breaking 50th first-inning home run of the season, surpassing the previous MLB mark set in 2023.

Back-to-Back Orioles Home Runs Answer Early Attack

After Rice's initial homer gave New York a first-inning lead, the Orioles responded in the fourth as Jordan Westburg and Gunnar Henderson hit consecutive solo blasts off Yankees starter Luis Gil, putting Baltimore ahead 2-1. Giancarlo Stanton tied the game with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning.

Clutch Bullpen Seals the Win

Devin Williams pitched a spotless eighth to earn the win, while closer David Bednar recorded his 27th save of the season to secure the Yankees’ victory. Rice’s second homer off Rico Garcia in the eighth proved decisive.

Aaron Judge Secures Batting Title

Aaron Judge finished the day 1-for-4, officially winning his first career batting title with a .331 average. Judge also led the majors with 53 home runs and 114 RBIs, capping another remarkable season.

Season Summary and Standings

New York wrapped up the regular season at 94-68 and is set to host the Boston Red Sox for a best-of-three Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday. The Yankees battled through a mid-season slump but finished strong, going 34-14 in their final 48 games. Baltimore completed the year at 75-87, a notable decline from last season, following a managerial change in May.

Notable Player Highlights

Jazz Chisholm Jr. returned to action as a pinch hitter and played second base after being hit by a pitch the previous day. Luis Gil, reigning AL Rookie of the Year, gave up two runs over five innings, closing out his injury-shortened season with a 3.32 ERA over 11 starts.

Key Stat

The Yankees welcomed a total of 3,392,659 fans over 80 home games this season, highlighting their strong support at Yankee Stadium.

Key Moment

Ben Rice earned his third career multi-homer game, providing the offensive spark the Yankees needed to end the regular season on a high note.

Up Next

The Yankees are slated to start left-hander Max Fried (19-5, 2.86 ERA) in the Wild Card Series opener against Boston’s Garret Crochet (18-4, 2.59 ERA) on Tuesday.

In summary

The New York Yankees finished their regular season with a narrow 3-2 home win over the Baltimore Orioles, powered by Ben Rice’s two home runs and a strong showing from their bullpen. Though finishing the season tied with the Blue Jays, New York lost the AL East tiebreaker due to head-to-head matchups. With Aaron Judge securing his first batting crown and the team riding an eight-game win streak, the Yankees look poised for a competitive postseason, starting with a Wild Card clash against the rival Boston Red Sox.

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