The New York Yankees overcame the Tampa Bay Rays for the second consecutive game on Wednesday by a score of 1-0. As Tampa sits at .500 on the season, the Yankees have pulled four games above the .500 mark. However, their offense continues to struggle, having scored just four runs over the past two games and 11 over the past four games. Thanks to incredible pitching, the Yankees have managed to spark a bit of momentum and positive progression.
Again, pitching has been the primary catalyst as of late, and starter Gerrit Cole had a phenomenal outing against Tampa to record his fifth win of the season.
Good news and bad news for the Yankees:
Cole was a bright spot in the victory, lowering his ERA to 1.37 on the year. He lasted 8.0 innings, throwing 106 pitches and racking up 12 strikeouts. He allowed just four hits, gifting Aroldis Chapman his easiest save of the year.
It is always a massive benefit to the team when the starting pitcher can go eight innings and give the bullpen a good rest, especially since the Yankees’ relief arms have been heavily relied on as of late.
Nonetheless, the Yankees’ offense continues to struggle, recording just six hits and striking out 10 times in the victory. If not for Cole, the Bombers would likely have lost this game — blanking any given team in the MLB is unlikely.
However, starting outfield, Clint Frazier was tossed from the game for arguing balls and strikes. Specifically, a strike inside has Frazier bewildered, aggressively talking back to the home-plate umpire. Even Giancarlo Stanton gave Bill Miller an earful after a questionable strikeout in the fourth inning.
This was Clint’s first career ejection, and skipper Aaron Boone didn’t seem too distraught by him being launched from the game. Ultimately, Frazier has struggled at the plate this year, hitting just .146 on the season and striking out once in the victory. Thankfully, the top of the order for the Yankees has saved them, as five of their six hits came from Aaron Judge and Gio Urshela in the three and four slots.
The Yankees will finish off the series on Thursday evening against Tampa Bay and then prepare for a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday.