Walls’ tiebreak grand slam puts the Rays 8-7 over the Yanks and spread over 4 games
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Walls hit a crucial grand slam in the fifth inning, Jose Siri caught Aaron Judge’s fly in front of the midfield wall to the final out and the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 8-7 Sunday for a split of the four-game series.
Walls missed the cycle twice after going 3 to 15 in his first five games against New York. Major league leaders Tampa Bay are 4-3 against the Yankees with six games decided in one go. The teams will not meet again until July 31st.
Losing 3-0, the Yankees took the lead in the third through two homers from Oswaldo Cabrera and Anthony Rizzo against Zach Elfin.
Randy Arozarena hit an equalizing sacrificial loaded bases flight in a five-run inning ahead of Clarke Schmidt (1-4), with midfielder Harrison Bader running about 90 feet for a sweeping backhand catch in front of the 399-foot shield that saved two runs.
Josh Lowe left and Albert Abreu was relieved. He threw four straight changes to Walls, who slammed the last one into the front row of right midfielders near the Yankee bullpen for an 8-4 lead. Tampa Bay has won four Grand Slams this season after making it the second straight day.
Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake was sent off by plate umpire Mike Muchlinski for arguing off the dugout on a home run.
Aaron Judge hit an RBI single in the seventh and rookie Anthony Volpe hit a two-run homer on Trevor Kelley in the eighth, his sixth homer this season and third in five games.
Judge ended the game with a 399-foot flyout, giving Adam his fifth save. When Siri caught the ball, the helper tapped him on the heart with a gloved hand.
Tampa Bay extended their 3-0 lead through Brandon Lowe’s groundout in the first game and sacrifice fly in the third game along with Issac Paredes’ RBI single. Lowe’s groundout hit Yandy Díaz, who retired with left groin strains.
Elfin allowed four runs and seven hits and hit out nine in six innings. He allowed both homers after taking a comebacker off Volpe’s leg.
Schmidt, who earned his first career win as a starter, allowed seven runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings, the most of his career.
FORGIVENESS:
Schmidt collided with Tampa Bay third base coach Brady Williams in the fourth. Walls hit a triple that Judge couldn’t parry with the running catch, and when Schmidt ran over to support the play, he rolled over Williams. In the sixth round, Jose Siri collided with Volpe, who was racing back to second base after Abreu’s pickoff throw.
TRAINING ROOM
Rays: RHP Pete Fairbanks (right forearm inflammation), who scored twice in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Durham on Friday, is expected to be activated for Tuesday’s series opener with the Mets. Durham has been on the injured list since May 3. … RHP Zack Littell has been added to the active roster and RHP Javy Guerra has been designated for deployment.
Yankees: LHP Carlos Rodón (strained left forearm) played catch on day two, throwing from 60-75 feet. He will increase his distance on Monday, six days after having a painkiller injected into his back. … RHP Luis Severino (right lat strain) could start next Sunday in Cincinnati if his rehab start on Tuesday goes well. … INF Oswald Peraza (sprained right ankle) began a rehab stint at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre and went 1-4.
NEXT
Rays: Take on Justin Verlander (1-1, 2.25) in Tuesday’s opening game of a three-game series with the Mets.
Yankees: Open a four-game streak in Toronto on Monday and meet Alek Manoah (1-3, 4.83).
