Yankees can save the series with a dominant 9-1 win over the Rays

The New York Yankees desperately needed a win today, having just suffered two uncompetitive losses to the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend. In hopes of getting back on track and avoiding another loss in the series, they would have had to beat the struggling Carlos Rodon against Zack Littell, and after a series of brutal performances from the left-hander, he delivered an absolute masterpiece on the mound. Rodon struck out ten batters in seven innings for just one run, setting the tone for the Bronx Bombers’ clear victory.

With five home runs in the competition, including a two-home run performance by Juan SotoThe Yankees were able to finish today’s game with a win and win the season series against Tampa Bay.

Juan Soto and Carlos Rodon help the Yankees to a series tie

Zack Littell looked set to dominate the Yankees, striking out everyone early in the game, including Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. That first inning was quickly forgotten, however, as Austin Wells opened the scoring with a laser shot to right field for his seventh home run of the season. The left-handed catcher has been on a roll lately, is red hot, and continues to look like the catcher of the future for this team.

His steady improvements in offense and defense were incredible, and his wRC+ on the season rose to 106. He wouldn’t be the only first-round pick to hit a home run in that inning, as Anthony Volpe hit a solo home run right after Wells, ending a two-month baseless drought. With a 2-0 lead in the bag, Carlos Rodon continued to mow down Tampa Bay hitters, and Oswaldo Cabrera delivered a two-run single that gave the Yankees a 4-0 lead.

The only run Tampa Bay scored all day came from Jose Siri, who hit a home run into the opposite field in the fifth inning, slow Trotting around the bases as an exclamation point. The Yankees responded by hitting three more home runs, with DJ LeMahieu hitting his first of the 2024 season over the left outfield wall. Carlos Rodon also remained outstanding, finishing his start strong and delivering a much-needed gem for the Yankees.

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He blended well in the secondaries with 10 strikeouts in seven one-run innings while placing his fastball well and hitting spots in the zone. He hasn’t pitched this well in a long time and hopefully the Yankees can see this version of Carlos Rodon more often down the stretch as they continue to search for a consistent third starter behind Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil.

Despite great performances by several hitters in the lineup and on the mound, Juan Soto stole the show with two home runs. He hit his first bomb in the seventh inning, hitting a missile into the right-field suites, and he took his time around the bases with a 37-second trot. The show wasn’t over, though, as he hit a three-run hit in the eighth inning that gave the Yankees a 9-1 lead and buried the Rays for good.

The two best hitters this season have been Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, a duo that somehow exceeded preseason expectations. However, how the Yankees build their lineup around them will determine how this season goes, and with the trade deadline just days away, Brian Cashman will have his hands full.