The Tampa Bay Rays (27-6) defeated the New York Yankees (17-16) 5-4 on Friday evening at Tropicana Field. The Rays have now won the first four games of their six-game homestand after sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates during the week.
After Randy Arozarena homered in the first, the Rays built a 2-0 lead in the second when Isaac Peredes scored on a double play sacrifice. Tampa Bay added two more runs in the third inning thanks in part to a homer from Yandy Diaz.
The Yankees had an answer in the sixth inning - after Gleyber Torres drove in one with a RBI double, Harrison Bader hit a three-run homer to tie the game.
The Rays took the lead for good i the bottom of the seventh when Wander Franco hit a RBI double that scored Yandy Diaz. Yandy was originally called out on the play at home plate but after review was ruled to be safe, and the Rays took the 5-4 lead.
Yonny Chirinios pitched five and a third innings in the start, allowin gthree earned runs on three hits while walking four and striking out none. Kevin Kelly (3-0, 3.18) earned the win out of the bullpen, while Jason Adam allowed just one hit in the ninth to pick up his third save of the season.
The Rays will look to make it five wins in a row when they play the Yankees in the second game of the three game series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM - Neil Solondz begins pregame coverage at 3:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES