About Yesterday Afternoon: Yanks 9, Rays 1

About Yesterday Afternoon: Yankees 9, Rays 1

By Tamar Chalker

July 23, 2024

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After a couple of rough outings against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees found their offense again on Monday afternoon. Not only did they get key hits throughout the lineup, but the Yankees saw more than one struggling batter connect with a much-needed hit. Combined with a strong outing from Carlos Rodón, the Yankees got a much-needed win to pull off a series split against Tampa Bay.

Quick Stats - Carlos Rodón - Rodón had a great outing, going seven innings and allowing just one run on two hits and two walks. He struck out ten and picked up the win.

Austin Wells - The Yankee catcher got the offense started with a solo shot in the second and was 3-5 on the day.

Juan Soto - Soto also went 3-5 yesterday afternoon and his 4 RBIs gave the Yankees more than enough runs to take the victory.

Zack Littell - The Tampa Bay pitcher went 5.2 innings and gave up five runs on nine hits and two walks. He got the loss. 

Player(s) of the Game - Austin Wells - Going 3-5 with two runs scored, a homer, and an RBI, Wells was right in the middle of the Yankees’ offense all day. 

Juan Soto - Soto didn’t just go 3-5; his four RBIs came on two big homers. His solo shot went 424 feet, just staying fair down the right field line, while his three-run homer shut the door on any potential Rays run at the end.

Notable Performances - Rodón had a great day on the mound, while Aaron Judge, Anthony Volpe, and Oswaldo Cabrera all picked up a pair of hits giving the Yankees solid offense.

Better to Forget - Ben Rice was the only real hole in the lineup on Monday. He went 0-5 and struck out three times (though one of those third strikes came on a full count on a pitch that was clearly below the strike zone…). He was the only Yankee to go hitless. 

My Take - The Yankees needed a game like this after the last couple. They returned strong from the break but had started to look like the lackluster team that has been frustrating fans for a while now. Not only was it great to see Rodón throwing well and Soto smacking the cover off of the ball, but there were a few players who needed a hit or two to fall their way and seemed to get them. 

DJ LeMahieu hit his first homer of the 2024 season. The infielder’s struggles since returning from the DL have been well-covered, but hopefully, that shot gives him the boost he needs. Alex Verdugo was 0-20 before lacing a single into the outfield. 

This is the team I expect to see jog onto the diamond every day. Not necessarily the exact lineup, but this team should be a threat throughout the order and today they were. They won with some big homers, but there were solid hits by almost everyone in the lineup. As they head into a two-game set against their cross-town rivals, the Mets, which will be followed with a three-game series against the Red Sox, I really hope we see more of the team that showed up yesterday. 

Next Up - The Yankees welcome the Mets to the Bronx tonight. Luis Gil will take the ball for the Yankees. He has a 10-5 record with a 3.17 ERA, 118 Ks to only 49 walks. Opposing batters are only hitting .171 against the young hurler. The Mets will send Jose Quintana to the mound. He has a 4-6 record with a 4.13 ERA and is allowing opponents to hit .244 off of him. First pitch is at 7:05 pm.