The New York Yankees (51-18) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (37-32) 5-4 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. The win gives the Yankees a series win in the three game set with the Rays.
The Rays built a 3-0 lead in the second inning thanks to a solo blast from Isaac Paredes, who also hit three home runs on Tuesday night, and a two-run shot from Vidal Brjuna to left. Aaron Judge hit a solo shot in the fourth to pull within 3-1, but the Rays answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth on a Vidal Brujan sacrifice to give Tampa Bay a 4-1 lead.
The Yankees would rally from there, getting one run in the sixth, a solo homer from Aaron Judge in the seventh and a two run homer from Jose Trevino in the eighth to build a 5-4 lead. That would prove to be the final score, as Clay Holmes picked up his twelfth save of the season for New York.
Shane Baz allowed one earned run on four hits in four and two-thirds innings while striking out six and walking two. Ralph Garza Jr (0-2, 3.75) took the loss out of the Rays bullpen.
The Rays are now off on Thursday before they begin a three game series with the Pirates on Friday. First pitch from Tropicana Field is scheduled for 7:10 PM on Friday - Neil Solondz begins pregame coverage from the Trop at 6:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES