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Yankees escape sweep thanks to offensive explosion and Gerrit Cole

New York Yankees, Baseball, Professional

A very long season for the New York Yankees, only continues to get longer as the losses keep piling up. Every series they play seems like a defiant loss with the way the team has been batting at the plate and pitching on the mound. 

It is very hard to find any positives for the Yankees right now, aside from Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge. Rizzo, Stanton and DJ continue to decline during their at bats, but are still in the first five slots of the batting order.

Questionable managing choices and lineups haven’t helped the Yankees, and with no reinforcements post trade deadline coming to save the day, it is hard to believe that what the Yankees have can bring them to the postseason. 

The only thing the Yankees can do at this point is to grind out every game and hope the stars can come out of their offensive slumps.

The Yankees demonstrated the poor performance that they have displayed all year in the first two games of the series against the Rays. However, in the third game the offense woke up and was finally able to pull some hits together.

Gerrit Cole was spectacular as usual, and the offensive production led him to a victory. Although the third game victory doesn’t mean much for the series, as they still lost the whole matchup, the win presents very positive signs. Something that the clubhouse and fans are desperate to see.

Let's break down how the Yankees ended up dropping two straight, but fought to prevent the sweep against Tampa Bay.

Game 1 Recap

Jhony Brito (4-5) took the mound for the Yankees for the first game of the Tampa Bay series against the Rays’ Tyler Glasnow (5-3). Brito took the place of Domingo Germán who was supposed to pitch, but got pulled at the last second for discomfort in his throwing armpit.

First Inning

In the top of the first Brito looked like he just got brought up from Triple-A, by allowing a leadoff single. With one runner on, Brito was able to bounce back and force a fly ball to left field. 

However, Brito was unable to contain the damage as the Rays hit a homer to right center field to get on the board first and be up 2-0 early. 

Right after Brito was able to get out of the inning with a groundout and a strikeout swinging.

In the bottom of the first the Yankees went to their MO by going down in order. Gleyber Torres grounded out, Aaron Judge struck out and Rizzo grounded out to end the inning. 

Second Inning

The top of the second didn’t start off much better for Brito as he allowed a leadoff double. Right after Brito was able to force a fly ball to left field. 

With a runner still on second, the Yankees defense was able to take a fielder's choice grounder and get the runner going to third from second out.

The Yanks defense was then able to catch the runner at first stealing to end the inning.

The Yankees offense did not show much hope in the bottom of the second after Stanton popped it up and DJ LeMahieu grounded out, but Jake Bauers put the team on his back and blasted a ball over the fence. The Yankees cut the Rays lead 2-1.

Right after Harrison Bader struck out swinging to end the inning.

Third Inning

Brito started the top of the third inning hot after getting the first two batters out (strikeout, groundout). DJ made a nice grab for the second out of the inning.

However, Brito let up another homer to boost the Rays lead to 3-1.

Brito was able to end the inning right after with a groundout. 

In the top of the third Anthony Volpe started the Yankees off good with a leadoff single to center field. However, Ben Rortvedt and Torres both hit fly balls to put the Yankees in a tough spot.

With a Volpe at first Judge was able to work a four pitch walk to set up the Yankees with a runner at first and second. Although it didn’t matter because Rizzo struck out swinging to strand the runners and end the inning.

Fourth Inning

Brito once again started the inning off strong, striking out the leadoff batter and then forcing a foul out by the second. However, Brito let up back to back homers to increase the Rays lead to 5-1.

Brito was able to finally stop the bleeding with a strikeout. 

In the bottom of the fourth the Yankees went back to doing absolutely nothing at the plate, thanks to Stanton lining out and  DJ and Bauers striking out.

Fifth Inning

In the top of the fifth Yankees Manager Aaron Boone had seen enough of Brito and replaced him with Domingo Germán. Brito went for four innings and allowed six hits, five runs, zero walks and recorded four strikeouts.

The decision by Boone was a very interesting and weird move since Germán was supposed to start the inning but couldn’t because of an injury. It left many wondering if the injury was made up because there was a potential trade for Germán, but the deal fell through. 

Although Boone denied it post game and said that they basically didn’t want to overuse Germán, hence why he didn’t start but still pitched.

Either way, Germán looked great in the top of the fifth, going 1-2-3 through the Rays lineup by forcing three groundouts. 

The Yankees stayed cold in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to Bader flying out, Volpe striking out and Rortvedt grounding out.

Sixth Inning

Germán stayed on the mound for the top of the sixth and looked good. Germán struck out the leadoff batter, forced a groundout, but then allowed a walk. With two outs and a runner on first base Germán ended the inning with a nice strikeout. 

The bottom of the sixth provided some hope for the Yankees after Torres’ grounded out. With one out, Judge was walked to set up a runner at first. Rizzo then smashed a single, moving Judge to third.

With only one out and runners on the corners Stanton grounds out into a double play to end the inning. A classic 2023 Yankee look. 

Seventh Inning

In the top of the seventh Germán remained on the mound and continued to look dominant, once again sending the Rays down in order (fly ball, groundout, strikeout). 

The bottom of the seventh was ugly for the Yankees as DJ and Bauers struck out swinging and Bader grounded out to third.

Eighth Inning

In the top of the eighth Germán stayed on the mound and looked decent. Germán allowed a leadoff single, but then forced a groundout double play to make the bases empty. Germán then ended the inning with a fly ball.

The Yankees offense continued to be ugly and cold in the bottom of the eighth, thanks to Volpe and Rortvedt striking out and Torres lining out.

Ninth Inning

Germán remained on the mound for the final inning of the game and had his worst inning of the night. Germán recorded a groundout then allowed a double and a walk before forcing another groundout and strikeout to end the inning. 

Not bad considering he didn’t allow any runs, but still scary for Yankee fans as their team is down four. 

Germán went for five innings and allowed two hits, zero runs, two walks and recorded four strikeouts. A nice line for Germán, but it was all too late after Brito letup five. 

In the bottom of the ninth the Yankees were looking to rally and somehow come up with four runs to tie the game or five to win it. Things looked good for the Yankees after the Rays walked Judge to start the inning, but everything quickly fell apart after Rizzo and Stanton struck out. 

With Judge still on first and two outs DJ lined out to end the inning and game. The Yankees drop another game by a large margin (5-1) and show no signs of offensive improvement. 

The loss put the Yankees behind the Los Angeles Angels and tied with the Seattle Mariners in the standings. The loss also put the Yankees in a position where they would have to jump three teams to be back in a Wild Card spot. 

Game 2 Recap

Carlos Rodón (1-4) took the mound for the Yankees for the second game of the Tampa Bay series against the Rays’ Zach Eflin (12-6). 

First Inning

In the top of the first Rodón looked sharp, forcing a leadoff fly ball, walk and then a groundout double play to end the inning. 

In the bottom of the first the Yankees offense didn’t have much going. Bauers struck out swinging to leadoff, Judge earned a single and Torres grounded into a double play to end the inning. 

Second Inning

Rodón was hot and cold in the top of the second. Rodón started off with a strikeout, but followed it up with back to back walks. Right after Rodón recorded another strikeout, but before he was able to get out of the inning, he let up a ground rule double. The Rays get on the board first 1-0. 

Rodón ended the inning with a line out following the home run.

In the bottom of the second the Yankees continued to not produce as Rizzo hit a fly ball, DJ grounded out, Isaiah Kiner-Falefa hit a single and Billy McKinney grounded out.

Third Inning

The top of the third started off awfully for Rodón as the Rays hit a leadoff homer.

Rodón was able to bounce back with a strikeout, but his luck didn’t last as he gave up a single and then another home run. The Rays lead was up to 4-0.

Rodón ended the inning with a fly ball force and a strikeout, but not before major damage was done. 

The Yankees offense had absolutely no response in the bottom of the third as they went down in order. Volpe and Kyle Higashioka struck out and Bauers grounded out. 

Fourth Inning

In the top of the fourth Rodón was able to get some solid pitches in, grounding out the leadoff batter, forcing a fly ball by the next, walking the third and then striking out the fourth batter to end the inning. 

Rodón’s night was done after allowing four hits, four runs, four walks and only recording four strikeouts over four innings. 

The Yankees were cold as ever in the bottom of the fourth, thanks to Judge grounding out, Torres striking out and Rizzo grounding out. 

Fifth Inning

Ian Hamilton took the mound for the Yankees in the top of the fifth and did not look his best. Hamilton let up a leadoff single, groundout, walk, fly ball and then a single to right field which brought a runner home. The Rays were up 5-0.

Hamilton was able to end the inning right after with a groundout.

The Yankees offense still had no answer in the bottom of the fifth. DJ grounded out, IKF struck out and McKinney lined out to send the Yanks down in order.

Sixth Inning

Hamilton stayed on the mound for the Yankees for the top of the sixth and looked sharp. Hamilton earned a leadoff strikeout and then followed it up with a groundout.

With two outs Hamilton let up a walk, but bounced back with a groundout to end the inning. 

The Yankees offense really didn't have anything brewing as Volpe and Higgy grounded out. However, Bauers was able to get a double. Unfortunately, the Yanks couldn’t bring him in as Judge hit a fly ball to end the inning.

Seventh Inning

Albert Abreu took the mound for the top of the seventh and looked decent. Abreu allowed a leadoff walk, but forced a fly ball by the next batter. Right before Abreu forced a groundout, he was able to pick off the runner at first. 

In the bottom of the seventh the Yankees were cold as Torres hit a fly ball, Rizzo lined out and DJ struck out. 

Eighth Inning

Nick Ramirez took the mound for the Yankees in the top of the eighth and looked great. Ramirez went 1-2-3 through the Rays lineup with a groundout and two fly balls.

The Yankees offense had no support for their pitchers as they once again went down in order. IKF grounded out, McKinney hit a fly ball and Volpe grounded out. 

Ninth Inning

Ramirez stayed on for the top of the ninth for the Yankees and looked great again. Ramirez forced two fly balls and a groundout to end the inning unharmed. 

Down five runs the Yankees were looking to cook something up in the bottom of the ninth. Higgy didn’t start the Yankees off too hot thanks to a groundout, but Bader had his back with a double to center field. 

Judge then hit a fly ball to left field, but it didn’t matter as Torres hit a double to left field. Bader was able to score and the Yankees were finally on the board. 

Rizzo then singled to right field and DJ followed him up with an infield single. Torres scored and Rizzo was able to advance to second on a throwing error by the Rays third baseman. The Yankees cut the Rays’ lead down to 5-2.

With the tying run at the plate the Yankees put Stanton in to pinch hit for IKF. Stanton eventually struck out, stranding the runners and ending the game. 

A very tough ending to a game for the Yankees and their fanbase as everything was trending in the right direction, but once again they fell short. Too little too late for the Bronx Bombers.

Game 3 Recap

Gerrit Cole (9-2) took the mound for the Yankees for the third and final game of the Tampa Bay series against the Rays’ Shane McClanahan (11-1). 

First Inning

In the top of the first Cole struggled, allowing a leadoff walk and then a homer right after. A very uncharacteristic first two batters faced in his start. The mistakes by Cole allowed the Rays to get up 2-0 early. 

While the Rays players were rounding the bases, “Fire Cashman” chants were loudly yelled by Yankee fans.

The Cole we all know and love woke up and got to work. Cole went through the rest of the lineup, strikeout, line out, walk and then forced a fly ball to end the inning. A rocky start, but with a quick bounce back.

In the bottom of the first the Yankees offense had no response going down in order. IKF hit a fly ball, Judge lined out and Torres grounded out.

Second Inning

Cole came out firing in the top of the second, striking out the leadoff batter, grounding out the second and allowing a single by the third. However, the Rays hitter was called out after trying to get two out of the hit. IKF with a nice throw to make the play and end the inning for Cole.

The Yankees offense still hadn’t warmed up yet going down 1-2-3, with Stanton grounding out and Bauers and DJ striking out.

Third Inning

Cole stayed on fire in the top of the third, sending the Rays down 1-2-3, with two groundouts and a strikeout. 

The Yankees offense got to work thanks to a Bader leadoff double. Bader was able to make it to third on a passed ball by the Rays.

With Bader on third, Volpe ripped a pitch to right field and over the fence for a two run home run. The Yankees tied the Rays 2-2.

Right after Rortvedt grounded out, IKF singled, Judge lined out and Torres singled. With runners on the corners and two outs Stanton demolished a ball to center field for a three run blast. The Yankees lead 5-2.

Bauers ended the inning after the home run thanks to a strikeout.

Fourth Inning

In the top of the fourth Cole really showed out with THREE straight strikeouts. 

The Yankees went quiet in the bottom of the fourth, going down in order with DJ, Bader and Volpe grounding out.

Fifth Inning

Cole didn’t have his best stuff in the top of the fifth, but still got the job done. Cole allowed a leadoff single, but the Rays batter was out after trying to get two out of it. 

Cole then forced a groundout but then gave up an infield single. It didn’t matter though because Cole forced another groundout into a fielder’s choice. 

In the bottom of the fifth the Yankees had some production going, but couldn’t capitalize. Rortvedt started the inning off with a leadoff infield single. However, IKF grounded into a double play. 

With two outs and no one on base Judge hit a single to right field on the first pitch he faced. Torres then doubled to left field, setting up runners at second and third.

Unfortunately, the Yanks didn’t get anything out of it because Stanton grounded out right after to end the inning and strand the runners.

Sixth Inning

Cole continued to be dominant in the top of the sixth, sending the Rays down in order once again (two line outs, fly ball). Bader made a really nice catch on the fly ball.

The bottom of the sixth wasn’t great for the Yankees, but it wasn’t bad. Bauers grounded out to start off the inning, but DJ singled right after.

With a runner on first, Bader hit a fly ball. Volpe right after hit a nice single to center field, moving DJ to third. With runners on the corners, Volpe tries to steal and gets caught to end the inning. 

Seventh Inning

In the top of the seventh Cole showed some of his best stuff going 1-2-3 through the Rays with two strikeouts and a pop up. 

Cole's night was finished after the seventh, after allowing four hits, two runs, two walks and recording eight strikeouts. Another masterclass performance from the Yankees ace.

The Yankees got back to work in the bottom of the seventh. Rortvedt started the inning off by lining out, but right after IKF worked a walk. IKF was then able to move to second on a wild pitch by the Rays.

With IKF at second Torres hits an infield single to set up runners on the corners. Stanton then hits a nice single to right field to bring in IKF and move Torres to third. Greg Allen replaced Stanton on base. 

Torres then stole home on a poor pitch by the Rays catcher to try and get Allen out at second. 

The Yanks lead was boosted all the way up to 7-2. The inning ended right after, thanks to a Bauers strikeout.

Eighth Inning

Tommy Kahnle took the mound for the Yankees in the top of the eighth and got the job done. Kahnle started off hot with a strikeout, but let up a single right after.

It didn’t mean much though as Kahnle struck out the next two batters. A great performance by him after he has been struggling. 

The Yankees didn’t get much going in the bottom of the eighth as DJ struck out and Bader popped up to start the inning. With two outs Volpe hit a good single to right. 

The inning ended right after, as Rortvedt struck out.

Ninth Inning

Clay Holes took the mound for the Yankees in the top of the ninth, hoping to secure the win. Holmes started out great, grounding out the leadoff batter and striking out the next. Holmes then let up a single, but it didn’t matter as he struck out the final batter to end the inning.

The Yankees finally get back in the win column with a 7-2 victory and prevent the Rays from sweeping. Small steps that can have a lot of weight as the Yankees head into a huge series against the Astros. 

Up Next For The Yankees

The Yankees begin a four game series against the Houston Astros on Thursday at home.

  • August 3 at 7:15 pm EST on FOX
    • Schmidt (NYY) vs Javier (HOU)
  • August 4 at 7:05 pm EST on Apple TV+
    • Severino (NYY) vs Brown (HOU)
  • August 5 at 1:05 pm EST on TBD  
    • Cortes (NYY) vs France (HOU)
  • August 6 at 1:35 pm EST on TBD
    • Rodón (NYY) vs Valdez (HOU)
Ashley Moynahan
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