Dominguez makes history: the youngest Yankees player to shoot three shots in a single game

When Jasson Domínguez circled base, even he couldn't believe it. The young Yankees outfielder had never hit two home runs in a single major league game before — until Friday night's eighth-inning slam shot elevated his career night to a historic moment.

"Impossible," Dominguez muttered to himself as he ran the bases in front of a silent crowd at Sutter Health Park, "it can't be." "

But the reality is unequivocal. Not only did the Slam win 10-2 over the Athletics, but at the age of 22 years and 91 days, he became the youngest player in Yankee history to hit three hits in a single game, breaking Joe DiMaggio's 1937 record of 22 years and 200 days.

"Tonight was extraordinary," Dominguez said, "a special night of a lifetime." "

As early as the eighth inning, the legend has begun. The left-handed batter hit back-to-back shots from first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in the second inning (left) against athletic starter Osvaldo Bido. In the seventh inning, he switched to the right to hit Hogan Harris on the left and fired another shot, and in the eighth inning, he switched back to the left to strike a slam cannon without suspense.

Dominguez became the first Yankee player to shoot three shots in a single game since Aaron Hicks in 2018, and only the third hitter in MLB history to do so with a slam cannon (Bill Mueller did it in 2003).

"One shot from the right and two shots from the left — that's obviously unusual," Yankees coach Aaron Boone commented, "and it usually takes a very talented player to do that." "

Dominguez falls into this category. Hailed as a superstar since his teenage years, he made his major league debut in 2023 at the age of 20 and hit four home runs in his first seven games. But a torn ulnar collateral ligament ended his rookie season and he didn't return until August 2024. Last year, he had a limited batting average of 0.179, and he worked hard in the offseason to guard and strike.

Yankees teammates had foreseen it, including superstar Aaron Judge: "It's so special to see him hit three times tonight." The excitement of everyone in the lounge area says it all. "

Boone believes that the eighth game of the slam cannon is not only the result of talent, but also the result of the team's continuous pressure on the line. From Trent Grisham's pick in the first inning, Judge's second run to the eighth-inning, the Yankees made a chance to hit the base in almost every inning, hitting 14 hits and six in the game.

"It's been a lot of fun to watch them destroy their opponents with their tenacity and eventually explode," Boone said. "

Dominguez's slam cannon sealed the win: At full base in eight innings, he flicked a 97.6mph reach ball from athletic backup pitcher Elvis Alvarado (major league debut) into the right Buffalo Barn, where it bounced and fell into the hands of Yankee fans.

The only scene that is familiar to Dominguez in this epic performance is the frequent triple hits "while playing yourself on PlayStation". There was no warning in the pre-fight striking: "It feels good, but I didn't expect it to explode like this. "

For the Yankees, such a night may be just the beginning. Dominguez started 31 of his 38 games this season, and after this game, his home run count increased to 5 and his OPS reached 0.802. If we can maintain our starting position, the next three hits may no longer be surprising.

"He just needs to keep playing," Boone emphasised, "and the experience will unleash his extraordinary talent." "