The New York Yankees achieved a remarkable milestone on May 31 in West Sacramento, by becoming the first team to score all their runs in one inning in a game, totaling 13 runs during that inning against the Athletics. This third inning performance marked them as the only team in history, along with two others, that has accomplished such a feat, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Despite limiting their scoring to the third inning, the Yankees didn’t secure hits in any other innings. The same sports bureau noted similar instances involving the Philadelphia Phillies on April 13, 2003, and the Atlanta Braves on September 20, 1972.
“It was crazy,” stated Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe. “I would run the bases, get up again, and gear up like it was on repeat. It was a cool feeling.” Volpe batted twice in this unforgettable inning and waited in the on-deck circle as the inning concluded with Trent Grisham’s flyout.
In total, the Yankees had 18 at-bats in the third inning, confronting three different Athletics pitchers. Four relievers, Jack Perkins, Mark Leiter, Jr., Luis Medina, and José Suarez, finished the game. Unfortunately, by the time Perkins took his place with two outs in the third, the game was beyond reach for the A’s.
Since MLB expanded from 16 teams in 1961, no team has gathered as many as 13 runs in one inning while getting all its hits during that same inning. Another record was tied when the first 12 Yankees batters reached base safely to start an inning, marking a record in the expansion era. Even the renowned 1927 Yankees, featuring legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, didn’t achieve a 13-run inning.
The franchise record of 14 runs was set on July 6, 1920, where Babe Ruth contributed with an intentional walk and a two-run single. Now, nearly 126 years later, this remarkable Yankees team showcased their finest performance in the third inning.