The Tampa Bay Rays (66-44) defeated the New York Yankees (55-52) 5-2 on Tuesday night in the Bronx. The win is the third straight win for Tampa Bay, who have won four of the first five games on their nine-game, three-city road trip.
Zach Eflin (12-6, 3.46) was the story in this one, allowing just three hits in six shutout innings while striking out five and walking none. Shawn Armstrong pitched two innings scoreless innings of relief before Colin Poche took the mound in the ninth. Though he allowed two runs to score, Pete Fairbanks came in and earned his 14th save by retiring the only batter he faced.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the second thanks to a RBI double from Manuel Margot, the Rays took control of this game in the third. Yandy Diaz hit a solo homer before Randy Arozarena hit a two-run blast in that frame to build a 4-0 lead. Brandon Lowe added a RBI single in the fifth as he continues to play well of late.
The Rays will now look for a sweep against the Yankees on Wednesday night in a top-tier pitching matchup. lefty Shane McClanahan (11-1, 3.00) will start for the Rays and face righty Gerrit Cole (9-2, 2.64) for New York. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM - Ronnie & T-Kras begin pregame coverage with the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES