13 Runs in One Inning: How the Yankees’ Explosive Rally Stunned Oakland

New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge hits an RBI single in the third inning of the May 31 (local time) road game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. / AP Yonhap

Major League Baseball witnessed a rare 13-run inning.

The New York Yankees erupted for 13 runs in the third inning and pulled away for a 13-8 road victory over the Oakland Athletics at Sutter Health Park on May 31 (local time).

The Yankees chased Athletics starter Jacob Lopez for seven runs and added six more against reliever Michael Kelly. Even though New York leads MLB in team home runs this season, the club produced the outburst without a homer in the third, collecting 11 hits and drawing four walks to plate 13 runners.

The 13-run inning wasn’t an MLB single-inning record. Since 1900, the high is 17 runs by the Boston Red Sox against the Detroit Tigers in 1953; before 1900, the Chicago White Stockings (now the Chicago Cubs) put up 18. The Yankees’ franchise best in one inning is 14, scored against the Washington Senators in 1920. The mark also falls short of the KBO record: the Hanwha Eagles scored 16 runs in the third inning against Lotte at Sajik Stadium on April 7, 2019.

But the Yankees’ offense produced feats not seen in decades. AP reported that the Athletics hadn’t surrendered 13 or more runs in an inning since 1950. During the rally, New York had 12 consecutive batters reach base — the first time that’s happened since 1949. Ironically, the MLB record remains 14 consecutive batters on base, set by the Tigers against the Yankees in 1925.

The outburst was partly credited to captain Aaron Judge’s leadership. AP said Judge, frustrated after the Yankees went down in order in the first two innings, barked at teammates in the dugout to snap them out of it. \”It felt like guys were dozing off,\” Judge said. \”I said a few strong words and the players responded.\”

Still, New York failed to score after the third and allowed eight runs late, which made the finish messy. Despite a strong starting rotation that has the Yankees leading American League teams in ERA (3.20), the club has struggled late with closer David Bednar’s inconsistent form (4.50 ERA, .276 opponents’ batting average, 1.58 WHIP) and a lack of a reliable setup man. Manager Aaron Boone quipped, \”I think I grew a few more gray hairs today.\”