The New York Yankees (91-67) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (96-62) 9-2 on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium to take a 2-1 lead in the four-game series.
The win comes a day after the Rays clinched the American League East championship. Ben Rice hit his 40th home run for the Yankees in the first inning, and his 41st homer in the fourth. After New York added a single run in the second, they broke through with five in the third, thanks in part to a grand slam from Ryan McMahon.
The Rays offense came from Jonny DeLuca, who hit a RBI double in the fourth, and Cedric Mullins who hit a solo homer in the fifth. Mason Englert (0-4, 5.95) took the loss for the Rays, allowing eight earned runs on nine hits in three and two-third innings in which he struck out six and walked one.
The Rays will now try to split the four-game series when they meet in the finale on Thursday night. Ian Seymour (9-7, 4.38) is scheduled to start for the Rays and face Cam Schlittler (14-6, 1.94) for New York. First pitch Thursday is scheduled for 7:05 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES