Ben Rice’s 7 RBI Powers Yankees Past Cardinals 12-8: Judge Homers, McMahon Goes Deep in St. Louis Showdown

Saturday, August 16th, 2025

Yankees Outslug Cardinals 12-8 Behind Ben Rice's Career Night

The New York Yankees powered past the St. Louis Cardinals with a 12-8 victory, highlighted by Ben Rice's career performance at the plate. Rice homered and matched his career high with seven RBI, leading the Yankees to a high-scoring win at Busch Stadium.

Offensive Fireworks for New York

Aaron Judge broke out with his first multi-hit game since the All-Star break, including his 39th home run. Trent Grisham delivered four singles and scored four times, while recently acquired Ryan McMahon launched his first homer as a Yankee. The Yankees' offense stacked up 15 hits, overcoming a rocky start from Max Fried.

Ben Rice Delivers Key Moments

Rice's impact was felt early and often. He put New York ahead with a three-run homer off Sonny Gray in the fourth inning, then padded the lead with a three-run double off reliever Kyle Leahy in the sixth. In the seventh, Rice added a run-scoring single, matching his seven RBI total from a previous career game in July 2024. Rice finished a triple short of the cycle in a three-hit night.

Strong Support for a Shaky Start

Starter Max Fried recorded his 1,000th career strikeout but allowed multiple home runs for the third time this season. Masyn Winn homered for three runs and Nolan Gorman hit a two-run blast for the Cardinals. Fried was lifted after giving up seven runs on eight hits in five-plus innings, with Gorman's 389-foot home run bringing an end to his outing.

Judge Homers Against All MLB Teams

Aaron Judge checked a new milestone, homering against every major league team with his third-inning blast. He also contributed an RBI double and drew two walks, anchoring the Yankees' lineup in the win.

Late Push and Relief Help

In the ninth, after a pair of infield singles by Winn and Alec Burleson, David Bednar came on to secure the 20th save of his season by retiring Iván Herrera on a foul-out. On the Cardinals' mound, Sonny Gray was charged for six runs on nine hits across five innings as St. Louis dropped its fourth consecutive contest.

Missing Stars for Both Sides

Both teams were missing key players. The Yankees played without Giancarlo Stanton (lower body soreness) and Cody Bellinger (illness). The Cardinals continued to rest Brendan Donovan (left foot) and Willson Contreras (right foot).

Key Stat

Ben Rice’s seven RBI tied his personal best from July 6, 2024, when he belted three home runs against Boston.

Up Next

The Yankees look to sweep the series on Sunday, sending Will Warren (7-5, 4.34 ERA) to the mound against Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas (6-9, 4.97 ERA).

In summary

The New York Yankees rode a potent offense, led by Ben Rice’s seven RBI and home runs from both Rice and Aaron Judge, to overpower the St. Louis Cardinals 12-8. Key milestones included Judge homering against every MLB team and Max Fried achieving his 1,000th career strikeout. Both clubs played short-handed due to injuries, but the Yankees’ depth and explosive bats proved decisive as they aim for a series sweep.

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