Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees
· Doubleheader - Game 1 - Makeup from May 23
0 - 2
Rodón allows three hits in eight sharp innings as Yanks beat Rays 2-0 in doubleheader opener
The Yankees (90-66) moved six games ahead of the Red Sox for the AL’s top wild-card spot. Tampa Bay (95-61) has a magic number of two to clinch the AL East for the fifth time in team history and first since 2021.
Cody Bellinger hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning off Tampa Bay starter Nick Martinez (15-5) and also started a key double play to end the sixth by throwing out Victor Mesa Jr. at first.
Rodón (7-3) struck out eight and walked none while completing eight innings for the first time since July 11, 2025, against the Cubs. The left-hander, who recorded his 100th win, became the 18th active pitcher to reach 1,500 career strikeouts when he fanned Jonny DeLuca on a slider for the second out of the eighth.
Rodón also struck out AL MVP candidate Junior Caminero on a slider in the dirt in the seventh with a runner on after reaching 98 mph on the previous two pitches.
Rodón threw first-pitch strikes to 15 of 25 hitters and improved to 3-1 in seven starts since returning from left elbow inflammation last month.
Following a double by Ben Rice off Martinez in the fourth, Bellinger lifted the next pitch into the right field seats for a 2-0 lead.
After a single by Mesa started the sixth, Richie Palacios lifted a fly ball to Bellinger. Bellinger made the catch and a strong one-hop throw to first baseman Luis García Jr. to easily complete the double play and get his eighth outfield assist this year.
Martinez allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out seven and lost for the first time since July 9.
David Bednar retired Yandy Díaz for his 35th save in 39 chances and finish New York’s 15th shutout in 2 hours, 2 minutes — the Yankees’ fastest game this season.
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How can I watch Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees?
- TV Channel: Rays at Yankees 2022 MLB Baseball, is broadcasted on ESPN Unlmtd.
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Scoring Summary
 |
9th Inning | Díaz grounded out to third. |
|
9th Inning | Palacios flied out to right. |
|
9th Inning | Mullins grounded out to first. |
 |
9th Inning | Bednar relieved Rodón |
|
9th Inning | Mullins hit for Mateo |
|
8th Inning | Ramos struck out swinging. |
Statistics
 TB |
 NYY |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Games Played | 1 |
| 1 | Team Games Played | 1 |
| 0 | Hit By Pitch | 0 |
| 9 | Ground Balls | 6 |
| 8 | Strikeouts | 11 |
| 0 | Runs Batted In | 2 |
| 0 | Sacrifice Hit | 0 |
| 3 | Hits | 5 |
| 0 | Stolen Bases | 3 |
| 0 | Walks | 1 |
| 0 | Catcher Interference | 0 |
| 0 | Runs | 2 |
| 1 | Ground Into Double Play | 0 |
| 0 | Sacrifice Flies | 0 |
| 28 | At Bats | 29 |
| 0 | Home Runs | 1 |
| 0 | Grand Slam Home Runs | 0 |
| 5 | Runners Left On Base | 6 |
| 0 | Triples | 0 |
| 0 | Game Winning RBIs | 1 |
| 0 | Intentional Walks | 0 |
| 0 | Doubles | 1 |
| 11 | Fly Balls | 12 |
| 0 | Caught Stealing | 0 |
| 107 | Pitches | 117 |
| 0 | Games Started | 0 |
| 1 | Pinch At Bats | 0 |
| 0 | Pinch Hits | 0 |
| 0.0 | Player Rating | 0.0 |
| 1 | Is Qualified | 1 |
| 0 | Is Qualified In Steals | 1 |
| 3 | Total Bases | 9 |
| 28 | Plate Appearances | 30 |
| 0.0 | Projected Home Runs | 162.0 |
| 0 | Extra Base Hits | 2 |
| -1.4 | Runs Created | 2.1 |
| .107 | Batting Average | .172 |
| .000 | Pinch Hit Average | .000 |
| .107 | Slugging Percentage | .310 |
| .000 | Secondary Average | .276 |
| .107 | On Base Percentage | .200 |
| .214 | OBP Pct + SLG Pct | .510 |
| 0.8 | Ground To Fly Ball Ratio | 0.5 |
| -1.4 | Runs Created Per 27 Outs | 2.4 |
| 3.0 | Batter Rating | 21.0 |
| 0.0 | At Bats Per Home Run | 29.0 |
| 0.00 | Stolen Base Percentage | 1.00 |
| 3.82 | Pitches Per Plate Appearance | 3.90 |
| .000 | Isolated Power | .138 |
| 0.00 | Walk To Strikeout Ratio | 0.09 |
| .000 | Walks Per Plate Appearance | .033 |
| -.107 | Secondary Average Minus Batting Average | .103 |
| 0.0 | Runs Produced | 4.0 |
| 0.0 | Runs Ratio | 1.0 |
| 0.1 | Patience Ratio | 0.3 |
| 0.2 | Balls In Play Average | 0.2 |
| 56.8 | MLB Rating | 69.3 |
| 0.0 | Offensive Wins Above Replacement | 0.0 |
| 0.0 | Wins Above Replacement | 0.0 |
Game Information
Location: Bronx, New York
Attendance: 41,421 | Capacity:
2026 American League East Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay |
- | 64 | L1 | 0.60493827 | 98 |
| New York |
4.5 | 68 | W1 | 0.57763976 | 93 |
 Boston |
11 | 75 | L1 | 0.537037 | 87 |
 Baltimore |
18.5 | 82 | L1 | 0.49068323 | 79 |
 Toronto |
19 | 83 | W1 | 0.48765433 | 79 |