The New York Yankees (13-7) stretched their winning streak to five games with a gritty 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays (8-12) on Friday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Carlos Rodón delivered his best start of the season, tossing six shutout innings with nine strikeouts while allowing just two hits. The walks were still an issue as he handed out four free passes, but he made big pitches to escape trouble.
Trent Grisham provided the game’s only run in the second inning with a two-out RBI single.
Anthony Volpe struggled at the plate but shined defensively, making a slick play deep in the hole to help Rodón escape a jam. In the seventh, a crucial defensive relay from Grisham and Volpe cut down a potential triple at third.
Ben Rice was robbed of a two-run home run in the eighth by a leaping catch from Jose Caballero, but the Yankees’ bullpen locked it down. Fernando Cruz and Luke Weaver combined for six outs, with Weaver closing the door in the ninth for his second save of the season.
The four-game series between the Yankees and Rays continues on Saturday at 4:10 p.m., with Carlos Carrasco taking the ball for New York opposite Shane Baz.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].