After having a day off, the New York Yankees are back to form as they knocked off Tampa Bay in impressive fashion on Tuesday night. The Yankees came back from a brutal season-opening defeat after their starting pitcher collapsed early on. CC Sabathia wouldn't have those same struggles in a dominant showing They scored three runs in the third inning and then tacked on insurance runs in the sixth and eighth innings. The Rays didn't have much to show this time on offense, being held scoreless and stringing together three hits.
Yankees pitching shut things down
Sabathia picked up an opening win after throwing for five innings and giving up just three hits while walking two batters and striking two of them out. After the starter was pulled, the bullpen did tremendous work, giving up just two more additional hits and one walk. Combined with closer Aroldis Chapman making his return, the bullpen combined for six more strikeouts. Despite it not being a save opportunity, the Yankees still decided to roll with Chapman for the full final inning.
On offense, Chase Headley and Ronald Torreyes both picked up their first homers of the season. Torreyes opened up the scoring with a two-Run blast in the top of the third, and Headley hit a solo shot in the top of the sixth to make it 4-0.
The latter player would reel in another run after hitting a single to bring in Jacoby Ellsbury.
Rays can't keep offense rolling
After piling on seven runs against the Yankees' previous starter, they weren't able to do much against Sabathia. They were able to put up just three singles in what turned out to be a dominant performance by the opposing pitcher.
The other two hits were tacked on against relieiver Jonathan Holder, who recorded just one out in the eighth inning before being yanked. Leadoff hitter Steven Souza was the only player that recorded more than one hit.
Rays starter Jake Odorizzi lasted six innings but gave up four earned runs on seven hits, two homers, and also walked two. Reliever Austin Pruitt gave up two additional hits, a run, and threw a wild pitch.
The series concludes on Wednesday night. First pitch of the rubber match is set for 7:10 PM Eastern time.
