Yankees Complete Sweep of Rays Behind Offensive Rout
- New York Yankees: 7 (4-2)
- Tampa Bay Rays: 2 (1-5)
- American League, FINAL
- Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
The New York Yankees have swept their two-game home opening series with the Tampa Bay Rays.
After a rain delay that lasted more than 90 minutes, the Rays jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI double from former Angel C.J. Cron that scored Kevin Kiermaier. The Yankees, however, answered right back in the bottom of the inning when Giancarlo Stanton blasted a 1-2 pitch to deep left field with Brett Gardner running on the pitch.
Luis Severino was able to settle down in the second inning, retiring the Rays in order. He would carry that momentum through the rest of the game, tossing 7 1/3 innings of two run ball, striking out seven.
Blake Snell wouldn’t fair as well. The 25 year-old got the quick hook after giving up five earned runs through just 3.1 innings as the Yankees offense was explosive.
Stanton wasn’t the only bomber to get to Rays pitching. Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge each hit their first home runs of the season while Ronald Torreyes chipped in with an RBI single that knocked in Tyler Austin.
Severino would exit in the eighth, handing the ball over to Adam Warren who turned in the final 2/3 of the inning, allowing a hit and Severino’s final run to cross.
Aroldis Chapman would finish off the two-game sweep with a 1-2-3 ninth, ending the game with a final score of 7-2, improving the Yankees record to 4-2 on the young season.
Who’s bringing the boos? Stanton Homers at the Stadium.
SEE. YOU. LATER.
Giancarlo Stanton DESTROYS his first home run at Yankee Stadium. pic.twitter.com/up4v5Y98hs
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) April 4, 2018
A day after Stanton went for the “platinum sombrero,” he reminded fans in the Bronx why they were so excited to acquire him. Stanton did what he does and homered off a left-handed pitcher, something he did 15 times last season. The exit velocity of the home run was 117.9 mph, the hardest hit ball of this young season.
What’s Next
The Yankees will begin a four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles Thursday night in the Bronx.
As with today’s game, the weather forecast is bleak and the game could be delayed or postponed.
Masahiro Tanaka (1-0) will face off against Andrew Cashner (0-1).
First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM ET on YES Network or can be listened to at WFAN 660/101.9FM.