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New York Yankees stars Aaron Judge and Ben Rice joined rare company in the team’s 4-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday night.
Rice hit a two-run homer in the third inning off Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter to give New York an early lead. Judge followed with his own solo shot. The dingers marked the 11th of the season for Judge and the 10th for Rice.
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The 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 Gutiérrez/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 accomplished the feat in 1956.
Mantle went on to hit 52 home runs, leading the MLB that year. Berra finished with 30.
“After I hit him, he said, ‘I’m not going to let Benny get me,'” Rice said of Judge. “I just try to keep him honest, keep him motivated.”
Judge is hitting .252 with 11 RBI and has a 1.010 OPS. Rice is hitting .322 with 23 RBIs and a 1.192 OPS.
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees 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 Gutiérrez/AP)
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“Just consistent at-bat after consistent at-bat. Like it’s something to watch on TV right now,” Judge said of Rice. “He’s either going to put something on the line hard or he’s going to go his own way and pass the baton. It’s just awesome to watch, and I have a front-row seat… And it makes my job easier when he does it.”
Rice was asked if he could keep up with Judge, a three-time MVP, for the rest of the season. He said he was enjoying the moment right now.
“Yeah, I don’t know how long this is going to last, but I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying it now being so close,” Rice said.
“It’s great. I definitely wouldn’t have anticipated something like that,” he added. “But obviously the three names around me are pretty big, so I’m definitely humbled.”
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 Gutiérrez/AP)
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New York moved to 19-10 on the year. Texas fell to 14-15.
