The hitting woes for the Tampa Bay Rays in the Bronx continued Saturday, as Ryan Yarbrough allowed four runs in just 3 2/3 innings, while Giancarlo Stanton and Gary Sanchez hit back-to-back solo homers to cap a 4-1 decision Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
Tampa Bay had a couple of early opportunities against Yankees starter Luis Severino, but the right-hander got inning-ending double plays in each of the first two innings, with Jake Bauers running into the final out of the first after a strikeout by Willy Adames, and Mallex Smith grounding into a 1-6-3 double play in the second after a walk to C.J. Cron and a bunt single from Carlos Gomez.
Rays opener Ryne Stanek allowed just a first-inning double to Aaron Judge in getting the first four outs of the game, but Yarbrough struggled from the onset, walking Greg Bird on four pitches and giving up a base hit to Aaron Hicks before Gleyber Torres drove in Bird two batters later with a RBI single to give New York the lead.
Didi Gregorius doubled New York's lead in the third after Mallex Smith misplayed a Judge line drive into a double, singling in the designated hitter with a base hit of his own.
New York made it 4-0 in the fifth as Stanton and Sanchez led off the inning against Yarbrough (5-3) with blasts to left field and center field, respectively for their 16th and 13th homers of the season.
Severino (10-2) ended up pitching eight shutout innings Saturday before making way for the bullpen. That's when Tampa Bay got their only run of the day, with Matt Duffy leading off the inning with a solo homer to left, his fourth of the year.
Jake Bauers followed with a triple, forcing Yankees manager Aaron Boone to bring in Aroldis Chapman, who got groundouts from Adames and Cron before striking out Joey Wendle to end the game and record his 20th save of the year.
Tampa Bay drops to 0-3 on the road trip and 0-5 overall this year against the Yankees, with all five games coming in the Bronx.
SUNDAY'S MATCHUP
Tampa Bay Rays (32-38) at New York Yankees (46-20), 2:05 p.m. first pitch with coverage on WDAE beginning at noon with The Inside Pitch presented by Crown Eurocars.
Rays starter - RHP Wilmer Font (0-3, 8.48 ERA)
Yankees starter - LHP CC Sabathia (4-1, 3.27 ERA)
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Monday - Rays at Houston Astros, 8:10 p.m. first pitch
Tuesday - Rays at Houston Astros, 8:10 p.m. first pitch
Wednesday - Rays at Houston Astros, 8:10 p.m. first pitch