For the first four innings of today’s matinee between the Yankees and Athletics, Oakland seemed well on its way toward sweeping it first series in the Bronx since June 2006. Then, the Yankees scored 20 runs over the next four innings, turning a 7-2 deficit into a 22-9 victory.
In order to effect the comeback, the Yankees hit two grand slams in successive innings. Robinson Cano belted the first one, which cut the deficit to one run in the fifth, and then, in the following frame, Russell Martin added the second. It was only the fourth time in franchise history that the Yankees hit two grand slams in one game.
Yankees’ Multi-Grand Slam Games, Since 1901
| Date | Opp | Score | Stadium | Batters | |
| 8/24/2011 | OAK | 22-9 | Yankee Stadium | Robinson Cano | Russell Martin |
| Curtis Granderson | |||||
| 9/14/1999 | TOR | 10-6 | SkyDome | Bernie Williams | Paul O’Neill |
| 6/29/1987 | TOR | 15-14 | Exhibition Stadium | Don Mattingly | Dave Winfield |
| 5/24/1936 | PHA | 25-2 | Shibe Park | Tony Lazzeri (2) | |
Source: Baseball-reference.com
Not content to merely tie a franchise and league record, the Yankees proceeded to load the bases again…and again…and again. In the seventh inning alone, the Yankees had six different plate appearances with the bases loaded, but the record breaking third grand slam proved elusive. However, after two more failed attempts with the bags juiced in the eighth, Curtis Granderson finally put an exclamation point on history by depositing a 1-2 fastball into the Yankees’ bullpen.
Yankees’ Grand Slams by Year, Since 1950
Source: Baseball-reference.com
In addition to setting a new major league mark for most grand slams in one game, the Yankees also compiled the fourth highest run total in franchise history (and only the seventh Yankees’ game to feature a combined run total of 31 or more runs). On a personal level, Martin set career highs in hits (five) and RBIs (six) to go along with his fifth multi-homer game, four of which have come this season.
Most Runs Scored by the Yankees in a Game, Since 1901
| Date | Opp | Rslt | R | H | HR | RBI | BB |
| 5/24/1936 | PHA | W 25-2 | 25 | 19 | 6 | 25 | 16 |
| 9/28/1923 | BOS | W 24-4 | 24 | 30 | 2 | 21 | 6 |
| 6/28/1939 (1) | PHA | W 23-2 | 23 | 27 | 8 | 22 | 5 |
| 8/24/2011 | OAK | W 22-9 | 22 | 21 | 5 | 22 | 13 |
| 6/19/2000 | BOS | W 22-1 | 22 | 19 | 5 | 21 | 7 |
| 8/12/1953 | WSH | W 22-1 | 22 | 28 | 1 | 22 | 7 |
| 5/2/1939 | DET | W 22-2 | 22 | 17 | 4 | 21 | 12 |
| 7/26/1931 (2) | CHW | W 22-5 | 22 | 17 | 0 | 21 | 12 |
Source: Baseball-reference.com
After staring down the barrel of disappointing three-game sweep to an inferior Athletics team, the Yankees responded with one of the most memorable games in recent history. In many ways, it was a truly absurd game, which is why the last out was perhaps the most fitting outcome of the day. Playing second base for the first time since the beginning of his professional career, Jorge Posada fielded a ground ball and then fired it into the ground. Only an acrobatic scoop by Nick Swisher prevented an error, but nothing could hide the smiles on everyone’s face. What had turned into a circus ended with a perfect final act.
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