Yankees rookie Spencer Jones strikes out twice (and scores) in one wild inning

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees rookie Spencer Jones made some bizarre baseball history in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series, becoming the first player to strike out starting and ending a postseason inning in which he also scored.

With the Yankees leading Boston 2-1 on Wednesday night, Jones reached leading off the sixth after swinging over Garrett Crochet's sweeper in the dirt. Jones reached on the wild pitch and scored to spark a six-run inning that ended when he swung over Garrett Whitlock's slider. New York went on to a 9-2 win for a two-game sweep and a Division Series matchup with AL East champion Tampa Bay.

The Elias Sports Bureau said Thursday that no player had ever scored in a postseason inning he started and ended by striking out. Elias also determined no player had done that in the regular season since the expansion era began in 1969.

“Baseball can be a wacky sport,” Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger said. “You see something new every day.”

Jones sprinted to first base when Crochet's sweeper bounced off Adley Rutschman’s chest. The catcher picked up the ball and threw to first, where umpire John Libka signaled that Jones was out. The Yankees appealed and the call was reversed by the video umpire at the commissioner’s office.

“It’s a great thing to be able to get on the bases I guess any way possible, but I was always told if you run hard, good things are going to happen, and that turned out to be the case,” Jones said.

It turned out to be perhaps the key moment of the game.

“I couldn’t believe he was there,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I saw the ball squirt away a little bit. I didn’t think that much of it, and looked up and I was, like, ’Oh, he’s safe.'"

Jones stole second and kept going to third when Rutschman’s throw skipped into center field for an error. New York then broke open the game on rookie George Lombard Jr.'s RBI single against Crochet, Austin Wells' sacrifice fly against Whitlock, Ryan McMahon's run-scoring groundout and a three-run homer by Bellinger that followed an intentional walk to Ben Rice.

A third-generation major leaguer who has been around big league clubhouses since he was a toddler, Boone was asked after the game whether he had ever struck out twice and scored in the same inning.

“Probably," he said, rubbing his chin.

Then, he pointed a finger as his eyes brightened.

“Ah, in the regionals my junior year, I led off, I made two outs and walked," he said, before breaking into a smile and adding: "I'm assuming I scored.”

Southern California's media information department was able to find the documentation proving Boone was correct.

In the NCAA Tournament South Region semifinal at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on May 28, 1994, Boone led off for the Trojans and played third base against UNC Greensboro. He flied out to right field leading off the first inning and the next seven batters got hits as USC took a 7-0 lead.

After a groundout, Boone walked and came around to score on a single by fellow future major leaguer Gabe Alvarez. With the Trojans ahead 13-0, Boone hit a bases-loaded, inning-ending flyout to right as the 19th batter of the inning.

Southern Cal won 25-9 but lost to LSU the next day in the regional final.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

New York Yankees' Spencer Jones reacts after safely reaching first base on a wild pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning in Game 2 of baseball's American League Wild Card Series, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York Yankees' Spencer Jones strikes out swinging against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning in Game 2 of baseball's American League Wild Card Series, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York Yankees' Spencer Jones strikes out swinging against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning in Game 2 of baseball's American League Wild Card Series, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New York Yankees' Spencer Jones strikes out on a wild pitch by Boston Red Sox' Garrett Crochet during the sixth inning in Game 2 of baseball's American League Wild Card Series Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 2, 2026--

LiveWire (NYSE: LVWR), a leader in the electric two-wheel industry, today announced that the S4 Honcho™ Street meets the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) criteria for use in rider training programs and will join the training lineup. This milestone represents a significant step forward in rider education and advances LiveWire's mission to make motorcycling more accessible and safer for a new generation of riders.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261002921721/en/

As a new generation begins their mobility journeys on e-bikes, electric scooters, and electric vehicles, their expectations around transportation and user interaction are changing. For many of these contemporary two-wheel riders, an electric motorcycle without a clutch or traditional gear shifting can feel more familiar and approachable, creating a natural bridge into motorcycling from e-bikes, and helping ensure the next generation of riders continues to grow and thrive.

Designed from the outset with approachability in mind, the S4 Honcho Street combines a lightweight chassis, low seat height, and fully electric powertrain that satisfies MSF training requirements while removing the complexity of clutch operation and gear shifting, enabling riders to build confidence from their very first ride.

"The next generation of riders is coming up on e-bikes and electric vehicles, so their expectations for mobility are changing," said Jon Bekefy, Head of Commercial at LiveWire. "For many, an electric motorcycle is a more natural first step into motorcycling. The S4 Honcho removes traditional barriers to entry and paired with MSF’s world-class training programs; Honcho gives new riders a more approachable way to learn safely and build confidence. That matters for LiveWire, and it matters for the future of motorcycling."

Expanding Access to Motorcycling

S4 Honcho’s compact dimensions and rider-friendly ergonomics make it particularly suited for training environments. At just 266 pounds with a seat height below 30-inches, the S4 Honcho is approachable for a broad range of riders and easy to maneuver during the low-speed exercises that form the foundation of rider education programs. The S4 Honcho meets all three primary MSF qualification criteria, including power output, weight, and seat height.

For decades, learning to ride has often required mastering multiple skills simultaneously, including throttle control, clutch operation, shifting, and braking. The S4 Honcho’s electric powertrain removes much of that complexity, allowing new riders to focus on core riding skills before progressing to more advanced techniques.

A New Chapter in Rider Education

S4 Honcho meeting the criteria for rider training use reflects a broader opportunity to grow motorcycling by removing obstacles that may discourage prospective riders from taking their first step. As rider training organizations continue to explore new tools and technologies that support rider success, LiveWire believes motorcycles like the S4 Honcho can play an important role in attracting and developing the next generation of motorcyclists.

"We're happy to have LiveWire's Honcho join our training demo fleet at the MSF RiderCoach Tour," said Corey Eastman, Director of Rider Education Expansion for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. "This gives our coaches an opportunity to experience an electric motorcycle in several MSF exercises while broadening the range of options available to training providers as they consider motorcycles for their programs."

Purpose-Built for Rider Training

The S4 Honcho brings several advantages to rider education programs:

These characteristics create a learning environment that is less intimidating for first-time riders while maintaining the fundamentals necessary to build safe, confident riding habits.

About LiveWire

LiveWire has a dedicated focus on the electric motorcycle sector. LiveWire's majority stockholder is Harley-Davidson, Inc. LiveWire comes from the lineage of Harley-Davidson and is capitalizing on more than a decade of learnings in the EV space. LiveWire is committed to developing the technology of the future and investing in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorcycling.

LiveWire motorcycles: www.livewire.com

Dealership locations: www.livewire.com/locations

Media & press assets: www.livewire.com/media

LiveWire S4 Honcho Street to join MSF Rider Training Programs

LiveWire S4 Honcho Street to join MSF Rider Training Programs

LiveWire S4 Honcho Street to join MSF Rider Training Programs