Ben Rice hits go-ahead 2-run homer as Yankees stop 7-game skid with 5-2 victory over Twins

By: Larry Fleisher, The Associated Press Posted: 9:50 PM CDT Friday, Jul. 3, 2026 Last Modified: 10:32 PM CDT Friday, Jul. 3, 2026

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NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Rice hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the third inning after a rain delay and the New York Yankees ended a seven-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

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Trent Grisham hit a leadoff homer and a sacrifice fly in his return from a strained right hamstring, and Gerrit Cole (3-3) pitched five gritty innings to help the Yankees end their longest slide since a nine-game skid in August 2023.

The game was stopped after Cole struck out Brooks Lee to end the third. During the 53-minute delay, the large scoreboard in center field showed the end of Argentina’s 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde in the World Cup.

New York Yankees' Ben Rice watches his two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, July 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Following Grisham’s single, Rice snapped a 1-1 tie by hitting rookie starter Mike Paredes’ full-count fastball into the right-field seats. Rice’s 24th homer helped the Yankees win for the fourth time in 15 games and beat the Twins for the 12th time in the last 14 meetings.

After teammate Carlos Rodón was placed on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, Cole allowed two runs and five hits. The right-hander struck out seven, walked none and was warming up in the bullpen to stay loose when Rice homered.

José Caballero added an RBI single in the seventh and scored on Grisham’s sac fly as the Yankees scored more than four runs for the first time in 13 games.

Fernando Cruz retired Royce Lewis with the bases loaded to end the eighth. David Bednar returned from the paternity list and struck out the side in the ninth for his 17th save.

Kody Clemens homered in the first inning and Victor Caratini hit an RBI single in the fourth for the Twins, who lost for only the third time in their last 10 road games. Minnesota played without Byron Buxton for the fourth straight game because of right hip impingement.

Paredes (0-2) allowed three runs and four hits in four innings.

Up next

RHP Zebby Matthews (4-5, 4.15 ERA) pitches Saturday for Minnesota. Rookie RHP Brendan Beck (0-0, 6.00) makes his first major league start for the Yankees.

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