The Tampa Bay Rays’ playoff hopes took a dagger to the heart as the New York Yankees walked into Tropicana Field for the start of a four game series and take the opener 4-1 over the Rays on Monday night. With the loss and an Oakland Athletics win this evening against Seattle, the Tampa Bay Rays will be officially eliminated from post season play.
Diego Castillo pitched a perfect two innings to begin the game for Tampa Bay as the opener, but he was relieved by Hunter Wood who ran into immediate trouble in the third. A solo home run by Andrew McCutchen gave the Yankees an early 1-0 lead in the third as Wood only lasted the inning worth of work for the game.
Tampa Bay tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning as Brandon Lowe grounded into a double play which scored Tommy Pham who doubled to begin the inning. Unfortunately that would be the only offense on the night for the Rays as the Yankees use eight pitchers to earn their 96th win of the season.
Brett Gardner gave New York a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning, while Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge added an RBI double a piece to give New York their 4-1 win.
The Tampa Bay Rays will host the Yankees tomorrow night at Tropicana Field.
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