New York Yankees Postgame
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees sweep the Tampa Bay Rays in a short two-game series as Luis Severino and the big bats lead the charge.

  • New York Yankees 7 (4-2)
  • Tampa Bay Rays 2 (1-5)
  • W: Luis Severino (2-0, 1.38 ERA)
  • L:  Blake Snell (0-1, 5.00 ERA)
  • AL, Final, Box Score
  • Yankee Stadium, Bronx New York

The New York Yankees will gear up for a four-game set with Baltimore with a little pep in their step. Luis Severino and the big bats in the lineup overpowered the Tampa Bay Rays in the Bronx

Severino was brilliant, only surrendered two earned runs through 7.1 innings while striking out seven. After getting a nice cushion from the heart of the order, Severino attacked the zone and refused to give the Rays any hope of a comeback.

Big Bats Come Through

Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gary Sanchez might be the most formidable 2-3-4 in all of baseball and they showcased exactly why on Wednesday afternoon. Stanton rebounded from his five-strikeout performance on Tuesday in his very first at-bat. He unloaded on a slider that hung right in the middle of the zone. He got the monkey off his back and hopefully, he won’t be hearing many more boos in pinstripes.

Gary Sanchez broke out of his slump in a big way. After starting the season 0-for-17, Sanchez nearly launched a ball into orbit. It didn’t go out by much, but this was essentially a long pop up that continued to travel. A lot of guys around the MLB would love to have the kind of pop Sanchez does. Even when he doesn’t hit the ball all that well, he can still muscle it out of the ballpark.

Much like Sanchez, Aaron Judge tallied his first home run of the season. Judge’s was more of a no-doubter and featured a classic Judge reaction. Saw it long enough to know it was a long gone and then put his head down to trot around the bases. The Yankees were well in control at this point in the game as Sevy was dealing, but this was the nail in the coffin for Tampa. The heart of the order gave the Rays’ staff fits all day.

Quick Hitters

  • Ronald Torreyes got his first start of the season today. He played second base and did what he always seemed to do—have a positive impact on the game. He made an excellent play on a blooper to right in the first inning to save a run. Later, Toe slapped a ball up the middle to beat a drawn-in infield in the fourth inning and notch his first RBI of the season.
  • Aroldis Chapman struck out one and retired the side in order in the ninth inning. He hadn’t pitched since Friday so Aaron Boone was looking to get him some work.
  • The Yankees welcome the Baltimore Orioles to town on Thursday for a four-game set with their division rivals. Masahiro Tanaka will face off against Andrew Cashner Thursday night.

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NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.