The New York Yankees (50-17) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (36-31) 4-2 on Monday night at Tropicana Field.
The Yankees built a 2-0 lead, and Gerrit Cole was brilliant, not allowing a hit until the eighth inning. The Rays were then able to get to Clay Holmes to tie the game 2-2. New York was able to get two runs in the ninth off Jason Adam (0-2, 1.30) to take a 4-2 win.
For the Rays, Shane McClanahan was brilliant, pitching six innings in which he allowed one earned runs on four hits while striking out eight and walking one.
The biggest news coming out of this game was injuries. Kevin Kiermaier exited the game after striking out in the second inning with left hip inflammation, and Kevin Cash said he expects Kiermaier to go on the IL. Then in the ninth inning Manuel Margot ran hard into the wall in right field and left with what they are currently calling a right knee sprain - Kevin Cash said he expects Margot to miss significant time with the injury.
The Rays now look to bounce back in the second game of the three game series on Tuesday night. First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 7:10 PM at Tropicana Field - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher and the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES