Yankees Beat Rays 6-4 as Cam Schlittler Makes History

The Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 in a meaningless game. The final standings in the American League East are very likely to show a close divisional race, when, in fact, the Bombers never really challenged the Rays in the tough division.

Cam Schlittler has had an outstanding season. He came into this game with a 216 earned run average plus (average is 100, and it tells how many runs a pitcher would give up on a neutral field). He also has one of the sub-2.00 earned run averages in team history in the live ball era (since 1920). He is very likely to win the Cy Young award in the American League. Do you think he should?

Yankees and Rays Game Summary September 24

The Yankees had a resounding victory last night, winning 9-2. In this game, they were optimistic as well because Cam Schlittler was starting for them against Ian Seymour. Here is how the game played out.

In the third inning, the Rays scored two runs. First, Yandy Diaz singled and Taylor Walls scored. Then, Junior Caminero singled and Yandy Diaz scored. However, that second run was unearned. It was unearned because Diaz advanced a base because of a throwing error by Heloit Ramos. That is important because the team took him out after this inning, with an earned run average of 1.95.

In the fifth inning, Junior Caminero singled and Yandy Diaz scored. That was his 99th run batted in. Then in the sixth inning, Luis Gil dropped the ball at first base on a potential double play. That error allowed Ryan Villade to score, and the Rays led 4-0.

Austin Wells hit his 14th home run of the year in the sixth inning. They trailed 4-1. Then, in the seventh inning, George Lombard Jr. doubled, and Ben Rice scored. The lead was cut to 4-2, and that was Lombard Jr.’s 20th run batted in of the season, a lot for the short time he has been in the Major Leagues. Then Lombard Jr. scored on a wild pitch and walk to Anthony Volpe. The score was now 4-3. Then, Paul Goldschmidt singled and Austin Wells scored. Tie at 4.

In the eigth inning, George Lombard Jr. hit a two-run home run. Amed Rosario scored. The score was now 6-4 Yankees. This was the final score of the game.

Home Field Advantage

By virtue of their second-place finish in the American League East, the Yankees have earned the first wild card position. That means they will host the entire Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium. The Rays, meanwhile, will get a bye past the wild card round and will host three of the five games in the divisional series.

Teams fight to have home field advantage in the playoffs, as they typically play better at home than on the road. The Rays are 55-26 at home this season, and the Yankees are 44-33, coming into this game. Yankee Stadium, in particular, has a loud playoff crowd. Though the Stadium was first used in 2009, it is said ghosts from past teams inhabit it.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Yankees lost this game 4-3. While there were several great performances, Cam Schlittler was the player of the game, even though he pitched only three innings. He has had an outstanding season. He was a bit limited in this game. However, he surrendered three hits and two runs. He only walked two batters. Meanwhile, he struck out five. He will win the Cy Young Award, and he will get votes in the Most Valuable Player competition.

This is the last game of the four-game series between the Yankees and Rays. They next get ready for the last series of the season. The Bombers stay at home to face the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays go home, where they are dominant, to host the Phillies starting tomorrow. The Phillies are good and do have something to play for, so these are difficult games.

Conclusion

This series is now over. It was the penultimate series of the season for both teams. They now head their separate ways to play the last series of the season. All teams in Major League Baseball are about to play their last series of the year. It is interesting, and for a reason, that the final games of the season all start on Sunday at 3 pm Eastern. However, the weather is having an effect. The Sunday game in Boston between the Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs has been moved to a Friday doubleheader. The Cubs still have things to play for, like the Phillies, so these are difficult games for the Red Sox.