Tampa Bay Rays 4 – New York Yankees 5
Following a huge sweep of the division-leading Blue Jays, the Yankees welcome the last place Tampa Bay Rays.
In the first inning for CC Sabathia, the big lefty for the Yankees got the first out before Kevin Kiermaier took him deep for a solo home run. In the bottom of the first inning, the Yankees responded against Alex Cobb. Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury led off with singles and advanced into scoring position on the ground out by Gary Sanchez. Didi Gregorius brought home Gardner with a single to tie the game. With Gregorius on second, Cobb tried to pick him off but an error by Cobb allowed Ellsbury to score and put the Yankees ahead.
The lead did not last long as Steven Souza led off the second inning with a home run, tying the game at two. Like the first inning, the Yankees had an instant response. Brian McCann led off the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run deep to right to put the Yankees back ahead.
Like a boxing match of uppercuts, the Rays struck hard to start the third inning. Kevin Kiermaier led off with a home run, his second of the night to tie the game yet again. This time, it took the Yankees an inning to respond. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Brian McCann made it a two home run night with his second into right field to put the Yankees ahead again. CC Sabathia, struggling through tonight’s game, gave up a pair of singles in the fifth inning before exiting the game. Rookie Jonathan Holder generated a double play from Evan Longoria before ending the inning with the lead intact.
CC Sabathia lasted just four innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits while walking none and striking out four. He allowed three solo home runs.
With two outs in the sixth inning, Steven Souza got all of the hanging slider from Holder and hit it above the glass in center field, tying the game at four. This was the fourth time the game was tied tonight. See-saw type of game.
Chasen Shreve, Blake Parker, Kirby Yates and Tommy Layne worked together for three scoreless innings to keep the game tied entering the bottom of the ninth inning. With two outs, Tyler Austin came to the plate against Erasmo Ramirez and took the 3-2 fastball the other way for a walk-off solo home run to right-center, giving the Yankees the thrilling win.
The Yankees have won five in a row.
Win – Tommy Layne (2-1)
Loss – Erasmo Ramirez (7-11)
Notables
Rays
*Kevin Kiermaier – 4 for 5, 2 R, Two solo home runs (11) in the 1st & 3rd, 2 RBI (34)
*Steven Souza – 3 for 4, 2 R, Two solo home runs (15) in the 2nd & 6th, 2 RBI (45)
Yankees
*Tyler Austin – 2 for 4, R, Walk-off solo home run (3) in the 9th, RBI (7)
*Brian McCann – 3 for 4, 2 R, Two solo home runs (19) in the 2nd & 4th, 2 RBI (55)
Current Yankees Record: 74-65
