Starlin Castro’s go-ahead two-run bomb in the seventh inning lifted the New York Yankees over the Tampa Bay Rays in the rubber game from Tropicana Field.
- New York Yankees: 2 (24-25)
- Tampa Bay Rays: 1 (22-26)
- American League, FINAL, Box Score
- Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Jake Odorizzi’s bid for a no-hitter and a win were both spoiled in the seventh inning when Starlin Castro ripped a 1-0 fastball over the left-center field wall for a two-run shot and a 2-1 Yankee lead.
Starlin sure knows how to crash a party: https://t.co/qce5Z9dxWc ⭐️ #LetsGoYankees pic.twitter.com/zpvm886SnL
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 29, 2016
Baseball: Where your first hit might be the only one you need. https://t.co/x7bOAhZ9Y4 #Crushed pic.twitter.com/BvrFSLwSHf
— MLB (@MLB) May 29, 2016
The Rays rode a 1-0 lead produced by a third inning Evan Longoria RBI single up until the blast. Nathan Eovaldi made sure that the lead did not grow any larger, going six outstanding frames for his fifth win in as many starts. He worked around substantial jams in the fifth and sixth innings to keep the score where it was.
Nathan Eovaldi kept pace on a good day for starters at the Trop:
6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 1 WP
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 29, 2016
In Odorizzi’s case, he only surrendered that one big hit over seven superb frames but was charged with the tough-luck loss.
Hardly seems fair that Jake Odorizzi is on the hook for the loss, but the Yanks aren’t complaining:
7 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HR
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 29, 2016
After taking the lead on Castro’s seventh homer of 2016, Joe Girardi turned to the formula that adds a broad sense of security to every Yankee fan.
‘No-Run DMC’, ‘Done BMC’, or however you want to put it, these guys are lights out and are truly a weapon that Girardi cannot wait to unleash day in and day out.
Dellin Betances fired a 1-2-3 eighth inning, striking out two in the process. Andrew Miller came on and struck out the side handily in the eighth.
Betances/Miller: 6 batters, 5 strikeouts. On deck: Chapman.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) May 29, 2016
To cap it off, Aroldis Chapman retired the Rays in order in the ninth for his seventh save. He fanned pinch-hitter Desmond Jennings on an 102 MPH heater to end the ball game.
That’s a series W!
Final from the Trop: #Yankees 2, Rays 1. #StartSpreadingTheNews pic.twitter.com/nAYXV1HO5Z
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 29, 2016
Today’s win is the 1st time the Yankees have won a game in which they had 1 hit since July 10, 1914. pic.twitter.com/pJHy0ANuAp
— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) May 29, 2016
The Yankees defeat the Rays 2-1 after a two-run HR from Starlin Castro. pic.twitter.com/kdOIu1Ti8M
— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) May 29, 2016
In the Live Ball Era (since 1920) MLB teams are now 70-1038 when getting exactly one hit https://t.co/F5bHWUWBk1
— James Smyth (@JamesSmyth621) May 29, 2016
Nasty Nate is nasty again
Nathan Eovaldi received no run support through six frames, but was able to pick up a well-deserved win when Castro’s jack left the yard and the three-headed monster shut the door.
The 26-year-old right-hander has won five straight starts, pitching to a masterful 2.03 ERA over that span. His overall season ERA is down to 3.71 and he possesses a wonderful 6-2 record.
Injury Update
Mark Teixeira took batting practice prior to the game from both the left side and right side of the dish. In addition, he took grounders at first. Although the expectation was him returning tomorrow in Toronto, he came on as a late defensive replacement.
Mark Teixeira’s neck apparently feels well enough to play defense as he replaces Ackley at first base.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) May 29, 2016
Dustin Ackley, the man he replaced at first base, will stay behind in Tampa to get an MRI on his right shoulder. He injured it on a dive into first base and a DL stint could very well be in the equation.
Ackley hurt his right shoulder on a slide. Headed for MRI. DL possible.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) May 29, 2016
In other injury news, Carlos Beltran sat out the series finale with his ever so slight shoulder issue and was available off the bench if needed. He is expected to return to the lineup tomorrow.
Luis Severino is another guy whose status is being monitored. He is set for his first rehab start with the Tampa Yankees tonight in which he will be limited to between 50 and 60 pitches.
Luis Severino will throw 50 to 60 pitches tonight for @TampaYankees at Brevard County. First pitch is at 5:05 … so get going!
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) May 29, 2016
Severino is currently on the 15-day disabled list with a strain in his right triceps.
What’s next?
The Yanks will head north of the border for some Memorial Day AL East action with the Toronto Blue Jays. The series will be the second of three road divisional match-ups on this ten game road trip.
Toronto took two of three in New York last week.
Ivan Nova (3-2, 3.65 ERA) will take the ball for the Yankees opposing Marco Estrada (2-2, 2.76 ERA). Estrada defeated Nova last week at Yankee Stadium in going seven stellar frames, surrendering only four hits and three runs. Nova did not pitch poorly but came up with the loss by allowing four runs over six and two-thirds.
Nonetheless, Nova has been an important piece to the rotation ever since making the transition back. In four starts, he is 2-1 with a 2.74 ERA.
First pitch will be delivered at 7:07 pm ET from Rogers Centre as the Yankees look to gain ground on an important divisional foe. The game can be seen on YES and MLB Network (out-of-market only) and heard on 660 WFAN/101.9 FM.
