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New York Yankees stars Aaron Judge and Ben Rice joined rare company in the team’s 4-2 win over the Texas Rangers on Monday night.
Rice hit a two-run home run in the third inning off Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter to give New York an early lead. Judge followed up behind him with his own solo blast. The dingers marked Judge’s 11th of the season and Rice’s 10th.
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New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge and Ben Rice celebrate Rice’s two-run home run in the third inning against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on April 27, 2026. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)
The duo became the first pair of Yankees teammates since Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra to hit at least 10 home runs in the team’s first 29 games of the season. Mantle and Berra achieved the feat in 1956.
Mantle went on to hit 52 home runs, leading the MLB that year. Berra finished with 30.
“After he hit his, he said, ‘I’m not going to let Benny catch me,'” Rice said of Judge. “Just trying to keep him honest, keep him motivated.”
Judge is hitting .252 with 11 RBI and has an OPS of 1.010. Rice is hitting .322 with 23 RBI and an OPS of 1.192.
New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on April 27, 2026. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)
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“Just consistent at-bat after consistent at-bat. Like it’s must-see TV at this point,” Judge said of Rice. “He’s going to put something hard into play or he’s going to go and pass the baton. It’s just impressive to watch and I get a front row seat. . . . And makes my job easier when he does that.”
Rice was asked if he could stick with Judge — a three-time MVP — for the rest of the season. He said he’s just enjoying the moment right now.
“Yeah, I don’t know how long it’s going to last, but I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying it right now being so close,” Rice said.
“It’s pretty cool. I certainly wouldn’t have expected something like that,” he added. “But obviously the three names I’m surrounded by are pretty big, so certainly very humbling.”
New York Yankees players Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge celebrate their team’s victory against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas on April 27, 2026. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)
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New York moved to 19-10 on the year. Texas dropped to 14-15.
