Yankees’ Historic Inning Sets Unique MLB Record

The New York Yankees achieved a unique milestone on May 31 by scoring 13 runs in a single inning, a feat never seen before in their history. This remarkable performance against the Athletics in West Sacramento saw them become the first team in MLB history to score 13 runs in one inning without scoring in any of the other innings.

The Yankees limited their offense to the third inning, failing to record a hit in the remaining seven innings. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only the Philadelphia Phillies on April 13, 2003, and the Atlanta Braves on September 20, 1972, have managed to score as many runs in one inning, accounting for all their scoring in those games.

Shortstop Anthony Volpe, who batted twice in the inning, shared his experience: ‘It was crazy,’ he explained to reporters. ‘It felt like I would run the bases, then I would get up, and I would have to put my stuff back on. So it was a cool feeling.’

The Yankees’ lineup saw 18 at-bats in the third inning against three different A’s pitchers. The inning began with 12 consecutive Yankees batters reaching base safely, tying a record in the expansion era for consecutive batters reaching base safely before the first out.

Despite the formidable efforts of the A’s relievers—Jack Perkins, Mark Leiter, Jr., Luis Medina, and José Suarez—the damage was irreversible by the time Perkins relieved in the third inning.

This achievement comes in the context of MLB’s current configuration since expanding from 16 teams in 1961, where no team has previously scored 13 runs in such a manner. Even the 1927 Yankees, featuring legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, never accomplished this during their storied history. The franchise’s record for most runs in an inning stands at 14, set on July 6, 1920, in a game against the Washington Senators.

For more coverage of MLB events, visit Newsweek Sports.