SF. PETERSBURG, Florida – The Yankees were on the third baseline and watched the Rays unveil their AL East and American League titles before Friday’s game, but Aaron Hicks said that as far as the Yankees are concerned, last year it was in the past.
“It’s something we want to do,” Hicks said. “They won last year. This is a new year. We expect to get out there and dominate. ”
The plan got off to a bad start as the Yankees faced Tampa Bay for the first time this season and were tied at a 10-5 loss at Tropicana Field to begin a six-game trip to Florida. two rivals in the division, Rays and relocated Blue Jays.
Corey Kluber was hit – the victim of a poor defense on the field – and the Yankees offensive was silenced outside a quick explosion, in four, in the third.
Kluber, in his second start with the Yankees, after missing most of the last two seasons, gave up a pair of unrestricted runs in the second half and three runs won in the third.
With Gio Urshela following a reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine, DJ LeMahieu was forced to play third, with Tyler Wade second. Both players had a hard second half. LeMahieu made a throwing mistake on a Yandy Diaz defender with a single outing, and Wade let a Joey Wendle ball get him for what he was headed for. He sent Diaz to third place and scored with a Willy Adames double from the wall on the right, just over a jumping glove by Clint Frazier. Brett Phillips made a great run down the middle, leaving Wendle alone at home.
LeMahieu managed to direct the high appearance of Mike Zunino, diving next to the mound, to end the half.
The Yankees tied the game in the third.
After Rays owner Rich Hill retired the first eight Yankees he faced, Wade reached a two-off single. Wade would have easily scored in LeMahieu’s double in the middle, but had to stay in third place when he jumped over the center wall. Giancarlo Stanton followed with a single pass on the right side of the field, leading both runners.
They took the lead a batter later, when Hicks threw a 1-2 pitch in the left seats for his first round of the season at home as the Yankees continued. 4-2.
It didn’t take long for Kluber to sway in the middle of the half.
The first three beats arrived, with Randy Arozarena’s single on the right leading to a run. Kluber hit Brandon Lowe, but took Diaz, and his day passed after 62 pitches.
Nick Nelson came in and immediately gave up a two-run double in front of Wendle as the Rays came back, 5-4.
The Rays piled up in the fourth against Nelson, who loaded the bases with no one outside. He hit Arozarena, but Lowe eliminated the bases with a double to center left, extending Tampa Bay’s lead to 8-4. Diaz followed with a single to score Lowe.
Lucas Luetge lasted three easy innings, saving at least some of the Yankees’ bullpen.
As the rays continued to fill their advantage, the Yankees offense disappeared. After Hicks’ homer, Hill withdrew the last 10 strokes he faced, giving up only four consecutive shots in the fourth.
A string of successes continued for Rays over the Yankees. Tampa Bay won eight of the 10 regular season games and then eliminated the Yankees from the playoffs in five ALDS games.