The New York Yankees fell 6-4 to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field, slipping to 50-41 as their offensive struggles continued. New York struck out 17 times for the second straight game, setting a franchise record with 34 strikeouts over a two-game span. The loss also dropped the Yankees four games behind the first-place Rays in the American League East after splitting the first two games of the series.
Will Warren ran into trouble after a scoreless first inning, surrendering a solo homer to Victor Mesa Jr. before Tampa Bay added another run in the second. The Rays broke the game open in the fourth when Richie Palacios drove in a run with a double before Hunter Feduccia launched a two-run homer and Yandy Díaz followed with a solo shot. Warren was charged with six runs on seven hits over four innings, allowing three home runs while striking out three.
Ben Rice briefly gave New York the lead with a three-run homer in the third, his 26th of the season, and finished 3-for-4 at the plate.
The Yankees had opportunities to rally but failed to capitalize. A baserunning mistake in the sixth erased a scoring chance, and New York stranded another runner at third in the seventh despite putting runners on the corners with no outs. José Caballero went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, while Rays starter Ian Seymour fanned 12 Yankees over 5.1 innings. New York’s bullpen kept the game within reach by allowing just one hit over the final four innings.
The Yankees continue their four-game series against the Rays on Wednesday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Gerrit Cole (3-3, 4.01 ERA) is expected to face Tampa Bay left-hander Shane McClanahan (7-5, 3.05 ERA).
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Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.