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Massachusetts native Ben Rice destroys Red Sox in Game 1
New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Massachusetts native Ben Rice destroys Red Sox in record-tying postseason performance for Yankees

By Clark Dalton  |  Last updated Sep 30, 2026 8:03 AM ET
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New York Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice may not be allowed to go home for the holidays or many other future family gatherings if he keeps this up. 

The Yankees hosted the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the best-of-three American League wild-card series on Tuesday night. Rice, who grew up in Cohasset, Massachusetts, located southeast of Boston, destroyed the team many of his family and friends support.

Ben Rice sets record in Game 1 vs. Red Sox 

Rice powered New York to a 9-0 win over Boston, going 4-for-5 at the plate and driving in six RBI, tied for the most in a Yankee playoff game since they began tracking the stat in 1920. 

He drove in four runs with a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning. Rice crushed a 97 mph sinker from relief pitcher Brayan Bello, driving in third baseman Ryan McMahon, center fielder Spencer Jones and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to give the Bronx Bombers a 9-0 lead.

The Yankees face the Red Sox at home again on Wednesday (NBC, 8 p.m. ET). If New York wins Game 2, it advances to the ALDS, where it will face the No. 1-seeded Tampa Bay Rays. If it loses, New York will then host Game 3 on Thursday (NBC, 8 p.m. ET).

Red Sox fans may give Rice a withering glance if he returns home this winter. The 2026 All-Star won't care.

Despite growing up in an area that supported their rivals, Rice always preferred the pinstripes because he idolized former Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter. His love for Jeter and the storied franchise made him stick out in some family photos.

One of them began popping up in social media feeds after Tuesday's game. Rice, wearing a Yankees jacket, stands with his siblings, who are donning Red Sox gear.

If Boston loses, that photo may haunt the dreams of some overzealous Red Sox fans, who wish the 27-year-old Massachusetts kid had played for the home team instead of the "Evil Empire." 

Clark Dalton
X Muck Rack

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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