Three games into their four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees looked like they would continue sputtering into the All-Star Break.
Instead, New York’s dormant offense erupted for 12 runs on 14 hits after being held under six for 20 straight games, defeating the Rays 12-4. Thursday’s game was the first time scoring six-plus runs since June 17 vs the White Sox, which was also the last time they had scored in double digits.
“A lot of really good at-bats. The great thing about it was that it was everyone,” manager Aaron Boone said. “When [the Rays] would answer, it felt like we had an answer to add on and protect the lead.”
The offense is the key to New York’s success, as they are now 36-3 when scoring five plus runs this season, according to the YES Network.
The Yankees’ win split the four-game series, which was progress given their recent struggles. New York moved back within four games of the first-place Rays, avoiding what would have been a season-high six-game deficit with a loss.
The breakthrough came at an ideal time. Before the game, General Manager Brian Cashman addressed the media about the team’s recent struggles.
He acknowledged the Yankees were losing ground in the standings and revealed Aaron Judge will receive imaging for his rib injury during the All-Star break. He added that Judge’s injury doesn’t affect how they approach the deadline, repeating he’ll make necessary changes to make the team better.
“Every day we’re certainly hopeful that we can get back on track and start building more positive momentum,” Cashman said. “If you get going in the wrong direction, that can avalanche as well. That’s what we’re dealing with.”
New York took its first step toward building more positive momentum in Thursday’s win.
Ben Rice continued his monster series on Thursday, clubbing two home runs and five RBI. The first baseman finished the series batting 7-for-16 (update) with four home runs and nine RBI.
“Just sticking with it overall,” Rice said. “It’s such a long year. You’re bound to go through the ups and downs … You go out here and have an approach, stick to it and hopefully good things will happen.”
Catcher Austin Wells had arguably his best game of the season on Thursday. He went 1-for-4 with a home run, and drew his first walk since May 31. Defensively, he caught seven different pitchers and successfully challenged several pitch calls.
Ryan McMahon, Max Schueman, Trent Grisham, Jasson Domínguez, and Cody Bellinger recorded multiple hits as the Yankees jumped on Tampa Bay’s pitching all game long. Rays starter Drew Rasmussen pitched his worst game of the season, allowing six runs on seven hits in just 2 and 1/3 innings.
“It’s big for the morale heading into the last series before the break,” Rice said post-game. “Getting everyone rolling again and firing on all cylinders feels good.”
It was an encouraging sign for a team that had carried its recent struggles, striking out 45 times across the first three games of the series.
The Yankees were shut out in Wednesday’s loss, where Boone was ejected in the sixth inning after scoring just one run after the third inning. Even in its 5-1 series-opening win, New York managed just three hits — all were home runs.
All of that made Thursday afternoon’s breakthrough feel long overdue.
“Really good for us with what we’ve been through and hopefully one that gets some guys settled and we can continue it this weekend,” Boone said.
New York’s final series before the All-Star Break is at the Washington Nationals, who pose one of the most dangerous offenses in baseball. Their weakness has been on the mound, posting a 4.76 ERA which ranks bottom five in MLB. If the Yankees want to carry meaningful momentum in the break, the offense needs to resemble the one that broke through on Thursday.
