The Tampa Bay Rays (8-7) defeated the New York Yankees (8-7) 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field. With the win, the Rays have swept the three-game series from their AL East rival and are one game above .500 on the season.
Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 1.13) got the win pitching six shutout innings in which he allowed just one hit while striking out seven and walking none. Mason Englert earned his first save of the season after working the ninth inning.
The Rays got a run in the first from a Yandy Diaz RBI groundout, and two in the second thanks to a RBI groundout from Richie Palacios and a RBI single from Chandler Simpson. New York scored two in the seventh to pull within 3-2.
The Rays answered with a sacrifice fly from Junior Caminero in the seventh and Taylor Walls in the eighth to extend the lead to 5-2. Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to pull within 5-4, but the Rays would hold on to earn the win and the sweep.
The Rays are now off on Monday before travelling to Chicago to play the White Sox for a three-game series beginning on Tuesday. Shane McClanahan (0-1, 4.15) is scheduled to start for the Rays and face Noah Schultz (0-0, -.--) for the White Sox. First pitch on Tuesday is scheduled for 7:40 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 6:30 PM on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES