Tampa Bay Rays 2 – New York Yankees 5
The Yankees turned to the long ball to support their stud rookie on the mound.
Luis Severino started for the Yankees tonight and stranded a one-out double in the first inning. The Yankees were set down in order against Jake Odorizzi to start the game. Severino pitched a scoreless second inning despite three base runners, thanks to Brian McCann throwing a stealing Logan Forsythe out at second base.
Brian McCann led off the bottom of the second with a walk and Alex Rodriguez jumped on the first pitch and put a two-run home run into left field to put the Yankees ahead by one.
Odorizzi responded by striking out the side, but the Yankees had the lead.
After a scoreless third inning, Brian McCann destroyed a hanging pitch from Odorizzi with one out in the fourth inning. The solo home run deep over the Yankees’ bullpen, into the right field bleachers, was his 24th of the season, tying his career-high.
Luis Severino pitched five scoreless innings despite six base runners. In the sixth inning, Evan Longoria jumped on a first pitch slider and opened the inning with a solo home run to left field, just fair , to get the Rays on the board. Severino bounced back with a pair of outs before a walk and a single put him in hot water. He settled down and struck out Kevin Kiermaier, swinging through a 96 MPH fastball to end the inning.
Luis Severino returned to the mound for the seventh inning, retiring one before giving up an infield single that took him out of the game. Justin Wilson came in as support for Severino, retiring pinch-hitter Brandon Guyer and Evan Longoria to end the inning and Severino’s line.
In 6 1/3 innings, Luis Severino allowed one run on seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Brian McCann led off with a walk. After Alex Rodriguez struck out, Gregory Bird fixed his two strikeout night when he put a two-run home run into the second deck in right field.
The home run extended the Yankees lead to four.
Adam Warren pitched a scoreless eighth inning but had some trouble with the ninth inning. After retiring the first batter, Kevin Kiermaier hit a single to center field. J.P. Arencibia brought home Kiermaier with a double. The run scoring made it a three-run game so closer Andrew Miller came into the game. On three pitches, Miller struck out pinch-hitter Richie Shaffer. On the first pitch of the next at-bat, Brandon Guyer flew out to left field to end the game and give the Yankees a win on the series opener.
Win – Luis Severino (3-2)
Loss – Jake Odorizzi (6-8)
Save – Andrew Miller (30)
Notables
Rays
*Evan Longoria – 1 for 4, R, Solo home run (18) in the 6th, RBI (62)
*J.P. Arencibia – 1 for 4, 2B, RBI (9)
Yankees
*Brian McCann – 1 for 1, 3 R, 2 BB, Solo home run (24) in the 4th, RBI (83)
*Alex Rodriguez – 1 for 3, R, Two-run home run (27) in the 2nd, 2 RBI (75)
Current Yankees Record: 75-58
