The Tampa Bay Rays (45-46) defeated the New York Yankees (55-38) 5-3 on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. The win snaps a three-game skid for the Rays, who were swept by the Rangers in Texas over the weekend.
Gleyber Torres gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead with a RBI single in the first, but the Rays erupted for four runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead. The big hit came when Rays All-Star Isaac Paredes hit a three-run blast that gave the Rays a 4-1 lead.
Ben Rice hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning in the seventh to pull the Yankees within 4-3, but Jonny DeLuca gave the Rays some insurance in the bottom of the eighth with a RBI double that made it 5-3. Pete Fairbanks worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 15th save and ensure a 5-3 win for Tampa Bay.
Ryan Pepiot (5-5, 4.20) got the win for the Rays after allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out seven and walking three.
The Rays will now try to win the series against the Yankees on Wednesday night. Zach Eflin (5-5, 4.19) is scheduled to get the start for the Rays, opposed by Marcus Stroman (7-4, 3.58) for the Yankees. First pitch is scheduled for 6:50 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting the Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES