Yankees equalize series with Rays

The New York Yankees (56-38) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (45-47) 2-1 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. The three-game series between division rivals is now tied at 1-1.

Trent Grisham gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead with an RBI double in the second inning. He scored New York’s second run in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly to left field to make the game 2-0. That was enough for the Yankees to win that game, although Yandy Diaz got an RBI groundout in the fifth inning to pull within 2-1.

Zach Eflin (5-6, 3.99) pitched well enough to keep the Rays in the game, allowing two runs — one earned — on four hits while allowing six strikeouts and one walk in seven innings. The Yankees were able to use a pitching lineup that included Marcus Stroman, Tim Hill (2-1, 4.72), Luke Weaver, Tommy Kahnle and Clay Holmes to limit the Rays offense to just a single run.

The Rays will now look to win the series when they face the Yankees in the three-game series decider on Thursday night. Shane Baz (0-1, 4.50) is scheduled to make his second start of the season against Nestor Cortes (4-7, 3.41) for New York. First pitch is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. – pre-game coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 5:30 p.m. on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620, your home of Rays baseball.

Cover image courtesy of Getty Images