The New York Yankees needed someone to step up in Seattle. Ben Rice answered the call from the first inning to the last.
Rice delivered one of the more complete performances of the young season on Wednesday, capping a dominant series against the Seattle Mariners with a 427-foot solo blast in the ninth inning to help seal a 5-3 victory at T-Mobile Park. It was his first home run of the 2026 season and the exclamation mark on a three-game stretch that announced he is locked in.
New York took the series. Rice was at the center of it.
What Rice Did and What Boone Said
GettyBen Rice of the New York Yankees.
Rice started the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning and finished it with the ninth-inning no-doubter to right-center. His three batted balls on Wednesday came off the bat at 108.2, 102.5, and 98.9 mph. The contact quality has been there all series.
Manager Aaron Boone did not hold back when asked about his first baseman afterward.
“His at-bats have been outstanding,” Boone said. “The patience, not missing his pitches. He’s found a couple holes and then really good swing on that last changeup to extend the lead for us on a no-doubter to right-center. He feels dialed in to me and obviously we know what he’s capable of.”
Rice reached base eight times across the three-game series, consistently putting himself in the middle of rallies. The 27-year-old acknowledged some good fortune along the way but kept the focus on the bigger picture.
“A couple bounces went my way down the line,” Rice said, “but I think the quality of at-bat overall has been good.”
Goldschmidt Delivers When It Counts
Rice was not the only first baseman who made his mark on Wednesday. Paul Goldschmidt got into the lineup for just the second time this season with Giancarlo Stanton sliding to DH, and he made the most of the opportunity.
After striking out looking in each of his first two at-bats against George Kirby, Goldschmidt got a 97 mph fastball down the middle in the sixth inning and did not miss. The three-run shot put New York ahead 4-0 and effectively put the game away.
The 38-year-old hit just three home runs off right-handed pitching in 366 plate appearances last season. Wednesday was a reminder of what he is capable of when the pitch is there.
Boone made clear what Goldschmidt means to this group beyond the box score.
“He’s such a big part of that group in there,” Boone said. “He’s been great for our culture ever since he walked in the doors last year. When he hits that ball, everyone gets a little extra excited because they want it for him because they know how much he gives to that room.”
Goldschmidt, for his part, has no illusions about his role on this roster and no complaints about it either.
“I knew this wasn’t going to be a place, unless somebody got hurt, that I would be playing every single day,” Goldschmidt said. “But I love these guys in this lineup, I love being a Yankee and just have so much fun here. I’m happy to do whatever they need me to do.”
Schlittler Continues to Impress for the Yankees
GettyCam Schlittler of the New York Yankees.
The win was also another strong showing from Cam Schlittler, who dominated through his outing before the bullpen made things interesting late. The Mariners closed to within 5-3 before New York shut the door.
Schlittler spoke about the benefit of having an offense that set the tone early.
“When the offense gives you that cushion, you can go out there and pound the zone,” Schlittler said.
He has looked sharp to begin the year as part of a Yankees rotation that has impressed through the first week of the season.
Final Word for the Yankees
Rice started it. Goldschmidt extended it. Schlittler set the tone.
New York left Seattle with a series win and a first baseman who looks dialed in through the early part of the season. For a Yankees team with championship ambitions, that kind of production from Rice is exactly what they need.
The season is young. The signs are good.
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