Yankees Star Shines With Two Home Runs Against Former Team

WHO:

MLB.com - Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated that Caballero believes he is “the best player on the field every night.”

MLB.com - Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash described Caballero as “a really good player, a winning player.”

Sportskeeda - New York Yankees utility player Jose Caballero.

MLB.com - Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash, and pitcher Cam Schlittler.

MLB.com - Teammate Ben Rice.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Caballero's second home run in the game was his 10th of the season, setting a career high.

MLB.com - Caballero's performance included a four-RBI game, which equaled his career best.

Sportskeeda - Caballero hit two home runs in a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

MLB.com - Caballero has two multi-homer games in his career, both against the Rays.

MLB.com - Caballero's performance included a three-run homer and a solo shot, totaling four RBIs.

MLB.com - Schlittler pitched eight innings, allowing three hits and striking out eight, with a 2.01 ERA.

MLB.com - The Yankees won with all three of their hits being home runs, a first in the Modern Era since 1900.

MLB.com - Ben Rice hit his team-leading 25th homer in the same game.

WHERE:

Sportskeeda - The game took place at Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays.

MLB.com - Caballero previously played for the Rays before being traded to the Yankees.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The Yankees' victory occurred on a Monday.

MLB.com - Caballero's previous multi-homer game was on August 19, 2025.

MLB.com - Schlittler's next start is scheduled for Saturday at Washington.

MLB.com - The All-Star game is scheduled for July 14.

WHY:

MLB.com - Caballero expressed that he is trying to "spark the team somehow, some way" during a struggling stretch.

MLB.com - Caballero expressed that playing against his former team motivates him.

MLB.com - Schlittler aimed to bounce back from a previous poor outing, stating it was "personal" to perform well.

HOW:

MLB.com - Caballero punctuated his home runs with impressive bat flips and a bow-and-arrow celebration as he rounded third base.

MLB.com - Caballero's home runs were achieved by hitting a changeup and a sinker over the left-center-field wall.

MLB.com - Schlittler's performance included throwing 72 of 101 pitches for strikes.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Caballero, stating he believes he is “the best player on the field every night,” while Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash called him “a really good player, a winning player.” In a standout performance, Caballero hit his second home run of the game, marking his 10th of the season and setting a new career high, while also driving in four runs to equal his career best. He expressed his desire to "spark the team somehow, some way" during a challenging period, celebrating his home runs with impressive bat flips and a bow-and-arrow gesture as he rounded third base.