The New York Yankees fell to the Tampa Rays, 5-4, on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. The three-game series is now even at a game apiece.
Nestor Cortes started on the bump for New York and surrendered four runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings while striking out three. The right-hander allowed a career-high three home runs. Clarke Schmidt allowed a run in relief, while Ron Marinaccio and Lucas Luetge had scoreless appearances.
After Cortes served up back-to-back home runs to Isaac Paredes and Harold Ramirez in the first inning, the Yankees offense responded with a pair of runs in the second to tie the game. DJ LeMahieu grounded one through the middle for a two-out, two-run single.
However, the game was not tied for long as Paredes drilled his second homer of the game in the third to put Tampa Bay back on top 3-2.
The Rays plated two more runs in the fifth to extend the lead as Paredes smacked his third home run of the game.
New York trailed 5-2 going into the ninth, but put together a late rally to make things interesting. Gleyber Torres worked a leadoff walk and two batters later, Marwin Gonzalez launched his second home run of the season over the left-field wall to make it a one-run game. Aaron Judge came off the bench to pinch-hit for Joey Gallo and hammered the first pitch he saw to deep left field but the ball fell just short and the Rays held on for the victory.
LeMahieu and Gonzalez each collected two hits.
The Yankees will try to bounce back on Wednesday night and take two of three from the Rays with Jordan Montgomery on the mound. The first pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m.
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