The Tampa Bay Rays (46-47) defeated the New York Yankees (56-39) 5-4 on Thursday night at Tropicana Field to claim win the three-game series against their divisional rival.
Randy Arozarena homered for the Rays in the give Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead in the first inning. After the Yankees answered with single runs in the second and third to tie it, the Rays answered with a three-run third to take a 5-2 lead.
The Yankees would score again in the fifth and the ninth to pull within 5-4, but hold on for the win as Pete Fairbanks earned his 16th save. Shane Baz got the start and allowed three earned runs in his four and one-third innings of work, starting just his second game in two years as he continues his comeback from Tommy John surgery.
The Rays now host the Cleveland Guardians in a three-game series over the weekend, the final series before the All-Star Break. Game one of the series is scheduled for 6:50 PM on Friday - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting the Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES