TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays halted a four-game losing streak with a dramatic 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday, buoyed by crucial contributions from Curtis Mead and José Caballero in a pivotal eighth inning.
Yankees star Aaron Judge, who launched his 11th home run of the season, initially put New York ahead in the first inning. However, the Rays responded with resilience, particularly in the later stages of the game. Zack Littell, starting for Tampa Bay, managed to retire 11 consecutive batters after Judge’s homer until Austin Wells stepped up in the fifth with a solo shot, taking a 2-1 lead for the Yankees.
Judge’s recent performance has been remarkable, recording four home runs in his last six games. The two-time American League MVP leads the majors with a .432 batting average and is in the midst of a 13-game hitting streak, having gone 26-for-52 during this span.
In the second inning, Taylor Walls provided an early lift for the Rays with a sacrifice fly against Yankees emergency starter Ryan Yarbrough, who replaced Clarke Schmidt after the latter was scratched due to soreness in his left side.
The eighth inning proved crucial as Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe injured his left shoulder attempting a diving catch on a ground ball from Christopher Morel, allowing the ball to become an infield single. Following a walk and three stolen bases, Mead tied the game with a single off Mark Leiter Jr., registering his third RBI of the year. Caballero then capitalized on a defensive miscue from Volpe, whose attempt to secure a ground ball turned into his fourth error of the season.
With runners on the corners, Edwin Uceta secured the final out of the eighth by coaxing Judge into a groundout, leaving the score tied. The Rays’ Pete Fairbanks then came in to retire the Yankees in order in the ninth, maintaining his perfect save record in seven opportunities this season.
The Yankees’ pitching staff continued to struggle with control, issuing at least six walks for the fifth time this season, while the Rays showcased their speed on the bases with six stolen bags throughout the game.
One standout moment came from Cody Bellinger, who, after shifting to left field, made a spectacular leaping catch to save two runs in the eighth inning. The Yankees now lead the league with 16 home runs in the first inning, surpassing the total of the Kansas City Royals in all innings up to that point.
As the series concludes on Sunday, the Yankees will send right-hander Will Warren to the mound with a 1-1 record and a 5.63 ERA, while the Rays will counter with Taj Bradley, who holds a 2-2 record and a 4.58 ERA.
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