The intensity level of the Yankees’ budding rivalry with the Rays intensified in the middle game of their series at Yankee Stadium, prompting a trio of suspensions and questions about potential carryover. Jordan Montgomery’s early exit Wednesday put a pin into all of that.
Montgomery was unable to escape the first inning as the Rays sent 10 men to the plate, muscling up with two-run homers by Randy Arozarena and Mike Brosseau as they held on for a 5-2 victory over the Yankees. New York completed the season series with Tampa Bay having dropped eight of 10 contests.
At the center of Tuesday’s theatrics, when Aroldis Chapman fired a fastball over his head, Brosseau led the Rays with a two-homer performance. The infielder launched a blast off Montgomery that prompted loud cheers from the visitors’ dugout and bullpen, then added a solo shot in the fourth inning off Jonathan Holder.
Montgomery permitted hits to the first five men he faced and recorded only two outs in the shortest start of his career. The Yanks were held hitless until Gio Urshela doubled in the fourth. Clint Frazier broke up the shutout in the sixth inning with a homer, his fourth.
ICYMI: Clint Frazier’s home run. #Yankees #Rays
pic.twitter.com/HUe2yuzaxh— Bronx Bombers News (@NewsBronx) September 3, 2020
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].