Yankees 2-1 Rays: Bullpen shines in narrow win
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Follow UsNew York Yankees 2-1 Tampa Bay Rays
The Yankees’ bullpen hasn’t been the primary issue in the team’s recent struggles, but it hasn’t been a strength either. However, on Wednesday, the bullpen stepped up when it mattered most, helping to secure a tight 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
How it happened
Entering the game, the Yankees had posted the fifth-highest bullpen ERA (5.10) in baseball since June 15, marking the beginning of their league-worst stretch. This made the one-run lead they held in the fifth inning anything but secure.
Starter Marcus Stroman exited in the fifth with a one-run lead, having allowed a run and loaded the bases. Manager Aaron Boone called on sidearmer Tim Hill, who promptly struck out Josh Lowe on three pitches and got Randy Arozarena to fly out to right field, ending the threat.
Hill ran into trouble again in the sixth, allowing back-to-back singles. After striking out Ben Rortvedt, Boone brought in Luke Weaver, who induced an inning-ending double play from Taylor Walls on his first pitch.
Weaver navigated another jam in the seventh, walking two batters before retiring Lowe and Arozarena to escape unscathed.
Tommy Kahnle pitched the eighth, getting two outs before allowing two more Rays to reach base. Closer Clay Holmes entered and got Yandy Díaz to fly out, with Trent Grisham making a spectacular running catch to end the inning.
Holmes then pitched a perfect ninth for his 20th save of the season, sealing the win. The Rays left 12 runners on base and went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
Offensively, the Yankees’ runs came from Grisham, who hit an RBI double in the second inning and added a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Anthony Volpe and Gleyber Torres scored the Yankees’ runs, aided by a throwing error from Díaz.
Roster
Up next
The New York Yankees will take on the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:50 p.m. ET. The Yankees will send one of their most reliable starters of late, left-hander Nestor Cortes (4-7, 3.41 ERA), to the mound. He will face off against right-hander Shane Baz (0-1, 4.50 ERA), who is making just his second MLB start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2022. Catch all the action on the YES Network.
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