The Tampa Bay Rays (49-49) defeated the New York Yankees (59-41) 9-1 on Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field. After a slow start on Friday night, Tampa Bay had a huge answer on Saturday in just their second game after the All-Star Break.
Curtis Mead was in the lineup hitting third after Yandy Diaz was placed on the restricted list due to a personal issue. He drove in a run in the third inning, and finished the game with three hits.
In the fourth inning the Rays began to pull away thanks to a three-run homer from Alex Jackson. Isaac Paredes hit a solo shot in the fifth to make it 5-0, and Randy Arozarena hit his first home run of the game later that frame to make it 6-0. His second homer in the seventh made it 8-0, and he finished the game 4-for-5 with three runs driven in and two runs scored.
The Rays added a run in the ninth inning to make it 9-0. New York got their lone run in the bottom of the ninth when Juan Soto tripled and Jahmai Jones drove him in on a groundout moments later. Taj Bradley (5-4, 2.63) continued his hot run for the Rays, pitching seven shutout innings allowing just one hit while striking out five and walking two.
The Rays and Yankees will now meet in the third game of their four-game series on Sunday afternoon. Shane Baz (0-1, 5.23) is scheduled to start for Tampa Bay, and face Marcus Stroman (7-4, 3.51) for New York. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 PM - pregame coverage begins with Chris Adams-Wall hosting This Week In Rays Baseball at high noon on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES