New York Yankees Take Series From Tampa Bay Rays Behind Starlin Castro

By Kenneth Teape | May 29, 2016

May 29, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Starlin Castro (14) hits a two-run home run during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon to take the weekend series despite getting only one hit.

It was a struggle at the plate all afternoon for the New York Yankees against the Tampa Bay Rays. The offense was stifled all afternoon, yet they were able to do just enough to take home a 2-1 victory and series win.

How much of a struggle was it? How about a near no-hitter type struggle. Jake Odorizzi had the Yankees number all afternoon, as he cruised through the first 5 1/3 innings perfect and the first 6 1/3 innings without allowing a hit. He then walked Brett Gardner, and made his only mistake of the game after that to Starlin Castro.

Castro would launch a 400+ foot home run into left-centerfield, giving the Yankees a 2-1 lead and ending Odorizzi’s no-hitter and shutout with one swing. It would end up being the only hit that the Yankees got all afternoon, but it would prove to be enough as their pitching staff wasn’t too shabby either on the afternoon.

More from New York Yankees

Today was the first time since July 10th, 1914 that the Yankees were able to win a game while getting only one hit. The performance of Nathan Eovaldi and the bullpen is a big reason why.

Eovaldi pitched six strong innings, allowing six hits and two walks, resulting in one run, to go with seven strikeouts. The only run he surrendered came in the third inning when Evan Longoria singled in Brandon Guyer. He was able to limit the damage, as the Rays loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning but came away with no runs scored.

After that, it was time for the Yankees biggest weapon to enter the game. The deadly trio of Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman would get the job done once again, as the three were dominant.

Of the nine batters they faced, only two players even made contact as they struck out seven of the nine Rays batters to come to the plate. It was the exact type of performance the Yankees had hoped they would get when they built the trio in the offseason; a starter going six innings and handing the ball over to three flame throwers who blow away opponents.

Next: 5 Greatest New York Yankees Of All-Time

With the victory the Yankees move to 24-25 on the season. They will now travel out of the country to take on the Toronto Blue Jays, who are hot winning seven of their nine games (Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox had not yet been completed by the time this article was published). Ivan Nova will be taking the mound for the Yankees and will be opposed by Marco Estrada.

Home/New York Yankees