The New York Yankees (32-13) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (26-18) 7-2 on Thursday night in the first game of a four game weekend series between the AL-East rivals.
This game was a pitching duel until the Yankees finally broke through with three runs in the sixth. They added one in the seventh before pulling away with three in the ninth inning. The Rays were only able to score twice in the bottom of the ninth to pull within five.
Ryan Yarbrough (0-1, 3.98) was a bright spot for the Rays. He pitched five shutout innings before the Yankees got to him for three runs (two of them earned) in the sixth inning. Nestor Cortes (4-1, 1.70) was brilliant for the Yankees all night, pitching eight innings in which he allowed one earned run on four hits while striking out five and walking one.
The Rays will look to bounce back in the second game of the series on Friday night. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 7:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher hosting the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES