From the start of the first inning, three consecutive home runs by three batters. All were on the first pitch. The New York Yankees, a premier Major League Baseball (MLB) team, exploded with three home runs on just three pitches as soon as the first inning began. This remarkable feat marked the first time in MLB history that three home runs were hit on the first three pitches since the pitch count tracking began in 1988.

On the 30th (Korean time), the Yankees made history in their second opening game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, by hitting back-to-back home runs from the 1st to the 3rd batters on the first pitch.

Against Milwaukee's left-handed starter Nestor Cortes, the Yankees' batting lineup exploded from the start of the bottom of the first inning. Paul Goldschmidt, batting first, connected with Cortes's first pitch, a high four-seam fastball at 90.1 mph (145.0 km/h), sending it over the left-center field fence. This was Goldschmidt's first home run of the season after transferring to the Yankees this year.

Next, Kodi Bellinger, batting second, lifted Cortes's second pitch, a high four-seam fastball at 90.6 mph (145.8 km/h), over the right-center field fence. Following Goldschmidt, Bellinger, both newcomers to the team, combined for back-to-back home runs as their first homers of the season.

Then it was Yankees captain Aaron Judge's turn. He pulled Cortes's first pitch cutter, a fastball clocked at 88.2 mph (141.9 km/h) on the inside, turning it into a solo home run. This was Judge's first home run of the season. Three consecutive home runs from the start of the first inning shocked Cortes.

According to MLB.com statistic analyst Sarah Langs, this marked the first time in the Yankees' 123-year history that three consecutive home runs were hit at the start of a game. Moreover, it was also the first time in the league that three home runs came off just three pitches as the game started since pitch counts were recorded in 1988. Goldschmidt, Bellinger, and Judge, who combined for this remarkable achievement, all share the distinction of being MVP award winners.

But that wasn't the end. In the continued bottom of the first inning, after Jazz Chisholm Jr. struck out looking and Anthony Volpe grounded out to the pitcher for the second out, Austin Wells hit another home run. He crushed Cortes's third pitch, a high four-seam fastball at 91.2 mph (146.8 km/h), for a solo home run to left-center.

Hitting four home runs in the first inning also marked the first time in the Yankees' 123-year history. While it was evident that the Yankees batters were performing well, the reckless choice of pitching by Cortes, who faced four home runs including three consecutive first-pitch ones, contributed to this record. Except for Judge's home run, all were poorly pitched fastballs.

Cortes, who became the victim of the first three home runs on three pitches at the start of a game in Major League history, had previously pitched for the Yankees until last year. Cortes, who recorded a personal best of 12 wins in 2022 and was selected for the All-Star game, spent five seasons with the Yankees. After completing last season, he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers as part of the return for elite closer Devin Williams, and this was his first regular-season appearance after moving teams.

Until last year, Cortes's personal record for most home runs allowed in a game was three, occurring in three different games; however, he faced harsh consequences from his former team's batters, resulting in an infamy record. Not only did he concede four home runs from the start of the first inning, but he also allowed a three-run home run to Volpe in the second inning, resulting in 6 hits (5 home runs), 4 walks, 2 strikeouts, and 7 earned runs allowed by the second inning. After a disastrous debut with his new team, Cortes started the season with an earned run average of 31.50.

Even after Cortes left the game, the Yankees' home run fireworks continued. In the bottom of the third inning, Judge hit a grand slam over the left-center field fence against left-hander Corbin Thomas, marking his second home run of the season. Following him, Chisholm also hit a solo home run to right field, marking another back-to-back home run. The Yankees had an explosive total of seven home runs by the end of the third inning, leading 13-3.

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