The Tampa Bay Rays faced off against the New York Yankees in the second game of their series with the hopes of securing back-to-back road wins, a feat they hadn’t accomplished since late June. After a strong performance in the series opener, the Rays turned to pitcher Joe Boyle, who had been impressive on the mound with his fastball, splinker, and slider combination, especially against the power-laden Yankees lineup. The Yankees countered with their own ace, left-handed pitcher Max Fried, who has been a standout performer in the American League this season.
The game began in the Rays’ favor as De Luca hit a two-out RBI triple in the first inning, marking the first run the Yankees had surrendered to Fried in 15 innings this season, giving Tampa a 2-0 lead. As the game progressed, Jonathan Aranda extended the Rays’ lead with a home run, making it 3-0. However, the momentum quickly shifted when Cody Bellinger responded for the Yankees with a home run of his own, turning the game around.
The Yankees capitalized on a lapse in the Rays’ defense during the third inning, scoring three runs and taking control of the game. Despite a promising start, Boyle struggled to maintain his early dominance and was unable to finish the third inning, allowing a total of four hits and three runs.
The middle innings saw Max Fried settle into a rhythm, limiting the Rays’ offensive opportunities. Although the Rays attempted a late rally in the ninth inning with a triple from Josh Lowe and an errant throw by Anthony Volpe, Jonathan Aranda struck out, and Devin Williams secured the win for the Yankees, finalizing the score at 7-5.
With the series now tied at 1-1, the Rays have their sights set on the final game of the series. Zack Littell is anticipated to be on the mound for what could be his last start with the Rays before the trade deadline on Thursday. The excitement builds as the third game is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET at Yankee Stadium, with both teams looking to gain the upper hand in this tightly contested series.
This matchup continues to highlight the fierce rivalry between these two teams, and with the playoffs approaching, every game is crucial as they both vie for position within the standings.