PORT CHARLOTTE (620 WDAE) -- The Tampa Bay Rays split their squad Tuesday for the only time this spring, and it worked out for the best, as Dayron Varona homered and drove in three to help Tampa Bay to a 10-6 home win over the Yankees, while Corey Dickerson and Steven Souza combined for seven hits and four RBI in a 9-6 road win over the Baltimore Orioles.
Neither side saw a dominant starting pitching performance. Jake Odorizzi worked into the fourth but allowed a run in the first and two more in the second to fall behind 3-0. Blake Snell allowed just a single run one hit in 2 2/3 innings, but walked five of the first nine batters he faced.
What both side did come across were strong offensive performances. In Port Charlotte, Rickie Weeks Jr. homered to get Tampa Bay back to within 3-1, but it was a six run fifth inning that saw Varona hit a two-run homer to tie the game, and drive in a third run later in the inning on a bases loaded walk. Weeks added a two-run double and also scored on a passed ball.
The Rays added three more runs in the sixth on a bases loaded walk by Mike McKenry and a two-run single from Willy Adames.
Meanwhile in Sarasota, Tampa Bay jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to RBI singles from Souza and Curt Casali in the first, followed by a run-scoring single by Corey Dickerson in the second.
The Rays would hold leads on 5-1, 7-2 and 9-4 before holding on for the win.
The Boston Red Sox come to Port Charlotte Wednesday, with Matt Andriese taking on Kyle Kendrick. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05.
Listen to comments from manager Kevin Cash and Jake Odorizzi below!