Gregory Polanco slammed a 461-foot homer, which comes in as the third-longest home run so far this season.
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Steven Souza Jr., on his 27 birthday, hit two home runs to lead the way.
Gardner said of how well he has hit the past few games, “I’m not sure, if I can figure it out, I’ll try and continue to do it. I think just for the most part, being patient at the plate, getting good pitches to hit and not chasing anything outside of the zone, being aggressive in the zone, just staying within myself”. With the count full to Brett Gardner, Ellsbury bolted toward home plate right as lefty Matt Moore began his wind-up – and it worked to perfection. With that, Tampa Bay had scored five runs in a span of nine pitches.
Following a walk-off triumph, the Yankees can record their first home sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays in seven years Sunday. Over their past 10 games, New York’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0.
The Rays struck quickly with two outs against Pineda for a five-run first. Souza’s opposite-field drive to right in the fifth gave him his second career multihomer game – both this month. The Rays scored their final run on Forsythe’s home run in the eighth.
“I was trying to do anything to stop the play, but I guess I can’t call time in the middle of a steal of home attempt”, he said. And he was the third Rays pitcher to make his debut in the Bronx, following Bobby Seay (2001) and David Price (2008).
With two outs in the fifth inning of their matchup with the Rays, Ellsbury’s Yankees found themselves down a run, 3-2.
After allowing just two runs over six innings in his last two starts, Pineda was blown out of the water early on when he allowed five runs in the top of the first inning. Pearce made his first start at second base for the Rays, one day after his Tampa Bay debut at third.
“That’s just kind of his swing, there are always guys that have it”, Girardi said. Smyly, who has received three runs of support in three starts this year, yielded one hit and struck out 11 in eight shutout innings Tuesday at Boston. “It’s time for us to pick him up”. Hicks said he is making the trip to Texas, and manager Joe Girardi said there is not a plan to place him on the disabled list….
Yankees starters need to go deep into games to relieve the pressure on the bullpen, which is thin at the moment. He was also able to rack up six strikeouts on the day. Compensation picks due to the loss of several free agents, including outfielder Carl Crawford and 2010 American League saves leader Rafael Soriano, gave the franchise an unprecedented opportunity to build depth in the farm system, even if the overall talent found in that year’s annual process was not considered to be overwhelming.
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It was the second straight win for the Yankees and clinched their first series victory since their first series of the year against Houston.
