Series Recap: Yankees Avoid Sweep By Rays
Gary Sanchez gives Gio Urshela a bump after the third baseman’s 453-foot blast.
Photo Via: Kim Klement — USA TODAY SportsThe Yankees took a trip down south after a 6-game home stand and played all day games against the Rays. Even after just a quick three-game set, there is plenty to talk about. Aaron Judge returned mid-series from injury, Clint Frazier sat for two games, Kevin Cash is upset at the Yankees (shocker), and Rougned Odor made his Yankee debut in a grand way. The Yankees also made a few transactions over the weekend. Every joke about Tropicana Field being at normal capacity has already been exhausted, so I will avoid that subject. On to the games, then a dive-in at the talking points.
Game 1 (Yankees 5, Rays 10)
Corey Kluber took the hill for his second start as a Yankee and it did not go as well as the first one. However, two things remained the same; he lost the zone at times and the defense let him down. With Gio Urshela out due to vaccination side effects, D.J. LeMahieu lined up at third base. D.J. is typically solid at the hot corner, but in the second inning he threw one that pulled Jay Bruce off the bag at first base, allowing Yandy Díaz to reach first on an E5. The Rays took advantage and sent home two runners that inning for a 2-0 lead.
The Yankees were ready to rally in the following half inning. Tyler Wade hit a single and D.J. LeMahieu hit a ground rule double (Wade would have scored if not for the rule). Giancarlo Stanton had a great approach to send a ball away from the shift and into right field, resulting in both runners scoring to tie the game 2-2. The very next batter, Aaron Hicks, smoked a home run to left field and the Yankees had a 4-2 lead. Everything seemed like we were in for a great series.
But the wheels fell off of the Yankees’ wagon. Kluber did not make it out of the third inning and Tampa Bay took a 5-4 lead off Nick Nelson. One inning later, Nelson’s struggles continued, as he started the inning by giving the Rays a free baserunner, plunking 9-hitter Mike Zunino to begin the frame. A few batters later, Brandon Lowe hit a first-pitch bases clearing double into the left-center gap to give Tampa Bay an 8-4 lead. Yandy Díaz knocked him in on the very next pitch. Willy Adames and D.J. LeMahieu traded solo home runs, but other than that the teams mostly traded outs the rest of the way in a 10-5 Rays victory.
Yankee of the Day: Aaron Hicks (1): 1 for 4, HR, R, 2 RBI, OF assist.
Game 2 (Yankees 0, Rays 4)
The Saturday day game will likely be in the running for most boring Yankees game of the year when the season is all said and done. Domingo Germán had his second consecutive bad outing to start the season, but the Yankees offense did nothing to help him out. However, just like his first outing, the bullpen tossed all scoreless frames after Domingo was removed (thanks to Justin Wilson, Jonathan Loaisiga, and Luis Cessa).
Chris Archer rolled through the Yankees lineup, striking out LeMahieu, Judge, and Stanton (Hicks had a single) in the top of the first. Then, the scoring got started when Austin Meadows hit a solo big fly to right off Germán. Archer threw a scoreless second inning, and the Rays gave him even more support with two additional runs scoring on a single that deflected off Germán and made LeMahieu change direction and run all the way to the first base line to retrieve the ball.
In the third inning, Archer was removed from the game when he felt something in his arm. The Rays later announced that he would be placed on the injured list with forearm tightness, which is especially unfortunate considering Archer had just returned from thoracic outlet syndrome. The bullpen picked up Archer by not allowing a Yankee to cross home plate. Randy Arozarena hit a home run to give the Rays the 4-0 lead and Tampa Bay never looked back. The Yankees barely put up a fight, going down in order in the final four innings.
Defensive problems continued for the Yankees, as Gio Urshela made a fielding error and Gary Sánchez had a throwing error. Notably, Justin Wilson returned from his shoulder injury and threw a scoreless inning, but plunked Joey Wendle (this is only noteworthy because the Rays became upset about having a batter hit by a pitch in each game).
Yankee of the Day: Jonathan Loaisiga (2): 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 R, 3 Ks.
Game 3 (Yankees 8, Rays 4) (10 innings)
Game 3 was certainly the most entertaining, especially for fans of the Bombers. I immediately had a bad taste in my mouth when Tampa Bay got on the scoreboard first. Mike Zunino smashed a two-run homer off of Jordan Montgomery, who was coming off a scoreless first outing. Monty did not have the same stuff Sunday. His two-seam fastball was giving him major problems, as it ran up and in on lefties consistently, and up and away on righties fairly often.
The Yankees were initially stifled by Brent Honeywell Jr. in his major league debut, but answered back against bulk pitcher Michael Wacha. Gio Urshela nearly hit one through the batter’s eye to tie the game up at 2. A single by Gardner, ground-rule double by LeMahieu (second time in the series he was robbed of an RBI by the rule), and a walk to Aaron Judge loaded the bases for 3-hitter (debate topic!) Aaron Hicks. Hicks grounded into a double play to score a run, but the rally was effectively over and Stanton grounded out to end the inning.
Before the Yankees could even enjoy the lead for one out, Yandy Díaz singled and who else but Randy Arozarena homered to flip the lead back in Tampa Bay’s favor, 4-3.
The next big moment occurred in the seventh inning. To set the stage, Gary Sánchez was hit by a pitch (well, his shin guard was skimmed by a pitch), Gio Urshela singled, and Brett Gardner walked to load the bases for exactly the guy you would want up with the bases loaded and the team down by a run: D.J. LeMahieu (this is the third series recap where this has been written). He chopped a tailor-made double-play ball and the Rays ended the inning unscathed and with a one run lead. It felt like the Yankees had blown their only chance at taking a lead, but they had another rally in their bones, as Michael Kay would say.
The Rays brought in sidewinding right-hander Ryan Thompson, who led off with a walk to Judge. He rebounded to get Hicks for a flyout to deep left field, but then walked Giancarlo Stanton to put himself in trouble. After getting ahead 0-2 on Gleyber Torres, Thompson left a pitch up in the zone and Torres served it to left field. The Big Fella chugged around third base and made it home to tie the game up. That was the only damage in the inning, but it allowed the Yanks to take a deep breath and focus.
Chad Green retired the Rays in order to end the eighth. In the ninth inning, Gio Urshela hit a hustle double to set the tone. Gardner then worked a walk to put two runners on with nobody out for LeMahieu. Once again, LeMahieu hit a tailor-made double-play ball to the left side. Third baseman Kevin Padlo stepped on third base and fired to first, but inaccurately, so the runners advanced one base each. With runners on second and third with one out, the Yankees did not need much to happen for a run to score. Instead, Rays’ closer Diego Castillo threw a ball in the dirt that deflected off of Zunino and popped straight up in the air. Gardner was over-aggressive from third base and took three steps too many towards the plate before attempting to turn back and sneak his way across home. Gardner was tagged out by Padlo and Judge’s at bat continued with two outs. Judge grounded out to end the inning.
After an impressive bottom of the ninth by Aroldis Chapman — who struck out three batters but did allow a hard hit double to Zunino — the Yankees had another chance to put up runs. Rays’ reliever Collin McHugh hit Hicks (grazed the bottom of his pants leg), which put runners on first and second (extra innings rule puts an automatic runner at second base). Mike Tauchman successfully bunted the runners over one station, so the Yankees needed a ball in play to take the lead. In his debut with the club, second baseman Rougned Odor (who played a very good defensive game) worked a full count before lining a single to center field to bring home the go-ahead run. A single by Sánchez added another run. Then Urshela stepped into the batter’s box just a triple away from the cycle. He lined a ball just in front of right fielder Manuel Margot. The ball skipped off of the hard turf and off of Margot’s glove. Odor and Sánchez came around to score and Urshela was standing on third base when the play ended. However, the play was ruled a single plus an error, so no cycle for Urshela.
Rookie reliever Albert Abreu was granted the bottom of the tenth and was throwing 100 mph fastballs with a nice breaking ball. He retired the Rays in order, including two strikeouts, for an 8-4 Yankees win.
Yankee of the Day: Gio Urshela (1): 4 for 5, HR, 2B, R, 3 RBI.
Series Talking Points
Rays Sound Off on HBP’s: After the third game, the Rays spent a lot of time talking about how many times their guys were hit by pitches in the series.
Despite catcher Mike Zunino stating the Rays were not “holding on to anything from years past,” manager Kevin Cash and outfielder Austin Meadows referenced the last few seasons in their interviews. “This continues to roll over. It’s been so grossly mishandled by Major League Baseball last year,” Cash stated. Although Cash insinuated the Yankees intentionally targeted Rays hitters in one breath, he also said he did not think the Yankees intentionally threw at the Rays in another. “Obviously we have this back and forth going on,” Meadows said. “It happens almost every series with them.”
In reality, nobody in this series was hit by a pitch intentionally, and it was fairly clear to anybody watching. It comes with the hostility of a divisional rival. Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone was more understanding and said he would be upset if his guys were hit that many times. The teams play again next weekend at Yankee Stadium.
Clint Frazier Usage: In the offseason, the Yankees made it a point to say that Clint Frazier was the team’s starting left fielder for the 2021 season. However, Frazier sat two games in a row to close out this series. Boone stated the reasoning behind Frazier’s time off was for lineup balance against the right-handed-heavy Rays, but Frazier’s play of late must have had something to do with it. Frazier, who needs to hit in order to provide sufficient assistance to the team, had gone hitless in his last three games (0 for 13). It is definitely a small sample size, but sometimes a day or two off can allow a hitter to work on what they need in the cage and come back ready to go. Brett Gardner’s recent play might have assisted Boone in making the switch, too. Gardner is hitting .353 on the season with a .476 on-base percentage, so he is seeing the ball well. Add in the fact that the Yankees were playing in Tropicana Field where it is tough to track fly balls (Clint has had trouble generally with this), and you might have the formula for the Yankees’ decision making on letting Gardner start. To put a cherry on top, the Yankees will face back-to-back lefties against Toronto to begin that series, so Frazier will presumably start both of those games, while Gardner sits.
Aaron Judge Injury: Aaron Judge returned in Game 2 of the Tampa Bay series from a mysterious injury of “general soreness” in his side. Typically, you hear the team make an explanation on a player’s injury, accept it, and move on. But with the Yankees, there is a level of distrust between the organization and its fans when it comes to Aaron Judge. The organization has to balance between precautious behavior and that which fuels the fire of those saying Judge is “always hurt.” So even after the tall right fielder returned and played two games, there is still skepticism as to whether he is playing through something or if he is feeling 100 percent. Judge attributed the soreness to his pre-game practice in the batting cages. Time will tell if he is truly healed or if there is something larger looming.
Rougned Odor Debut: A completely shaved faced Rougned Odor made his debut for the Yankees in Game 3. The Yankees shifted their usual infield around by placing LeMahieu at first and Odor at second, while benching Jay Bruce. The defensive improvement shined in Game 3. Odor’s arm strength was showcased on a double-play ball where he threw a strike to first base. LeMahieu also made an error-saving scoop and looks remarkably comfortable at first. Having Bruce’s bat take a break may have been good for the Yankees too, because he was 0 for 7 with four strikeouts through the first two games of the series. In the end, Odor even knocked in the winning run, so it was a very successful debut.
Series Totals
Hitting
D.J. LeMahieu: 4 for 12 (.333 AVG), 1 BB (.385 OBP), 2 R’s, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 Ks (1.218 OPS), 0 SB
Aaron Judge: 1 for 7 (.143 AVG), 2 BB (.333 OBP), 1 R, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3 K’s (.476 OPS), 0 SB
Aaron Hicks: 2 for 11 (.182 AVG), 1 BB (.308 OBP), 2 R’s, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 Ks, 1 HBP (.762 OPS), 0 SB
Giancarlo Stanton: 1 for 11 (.091 AVG), 1 BB (.167 OBP), 1 R, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3 Ks (.258 OPS), 0 SB
Gleyber Torres: 2 for 12 (.167 AVG), 1 BB (.231 OBP), 1 R, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2 Ks (.397 OPS), 1 SB
Gary Sánchez: 3 for 9 (.333 AVG), 2 BB (.500 OBP), 2 R, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 HBP (.833 OPS), 0 SB
Jay Bruce: 0 for 7 (.000 AVG), 0 BB (.000 OBP), 0 R, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4 Ks (.000 OPS), 0 SB
Gio Urshela: 4 for 8 (.500 AVG), 0 BB (.500 OBP), 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K (1.500 OPS), 0 SB
Clint Frazier: 0 for 4 (.000 AVG), 0 BB (.000 OBP), 0 R, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3 Ks (.000 OPS), 0 SB
Brett Gardner: 2 for 7 (.286 AVG), 2 BB (.444 OBP), 1 R, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 Ks (.873 OPS), 0 SB
Rougned Odor: 1 for 5 (.200 AVG), 0 BB (.200 OBP), 1 R, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 K (.400 OPS), 0 SB
Mike Tauchman: 0 for 3 (.000 AVG), 0 BB (.000 OBP), 0 R, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 K, 1 SH (.000 OPS), 0 SB
Tyler Wade: 1 for 3 (.333 AVG), 0 BB (.333 OBP), 1 R, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 K (.667 OPS), 0 SB
Kyle Higashioka: No appearances
Pitching
Corey Kluber: 2.1 IP, 5 R, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 0 HR, L, 3 Ks,
Domingo Germán: 4 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 8 H, 1 BB, 2 HR, 5 Ks, L, 9.00 ERA
Jordan Montgomery: 5 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 HR, 4 Ks, 2 HBP, 7.00 ERA
Jonathan Loaisiga: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 HR, 3 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Nick Nelson: 1.2 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 0 HR, 3 Ks, 1 HBP, 13.00 ERA
Justin Wilson: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 HR, 2 Ks, 1 HBP, 0.00 ERA
Darren O’Day: 0.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 HR, 1 K, 0.00 ERA
Luis Cessa: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 HR, 3 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Lucas Luetge: 3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 HR, 4 Ks, 3.00 ERA
Chad Green: 2.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 HR, 3 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Albert Abreu: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks, 0.00 ERA
Aroldis Chapman: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks, W, 0.00 ERA