photo credit: AP
Looking to turn around what has been a disappointing start to the 2021 campaign, the New York Yankees had a golden opportunity on Friday to get back at the team that eliminated them from the 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) Postseason. Taking on the Tampa Rays at Tropicana Field, better known as “The Trop,” Corey Kluber knew he needed to have a better start than his previous one.
Neither team scored in the first inning, and the Yanks were blanked in the top of the second. Tampa broke through in the bottom of the second, posting two runs. The Bombers responded, posting a four-spot in the top of the third. Giancarlo Stanton drove in two on a base hit, and Aaron Hicks had a two-run blast off southpaw Rich Hill.
It all went downhill for Aaron Boone’s Yankees from the Hicks homer. They were outscored 8-1 the rest of the way, dropping the game 10-5.
In an already competitive American League East, this type of play from the pinstripes is unacceptable. They need to show more life, gel as a team and find more sparks. With the Boston Red Sox over-performing thus far, the Toronto Blue Jays getting healthy, and the Rays already a contender, it is imperative that the Yankees do not let too many games slip.
The Yanks look to flush this memory and take on the Rays in the second game of the series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM Eastern Time.