The Yankees lost to the Tampa Bay Rays as they returned to Yankee Stadium to face an elimination game. The Yankees changed their lineup in an effort to generate offense. They benched the defender, Ryan McMahon. He cannot hit. They also benched Jazz Chisholm Jr., who has been a disaster in these first two games against the Rays. These moves (Anthony Volpe played second base, and Jose Caballero played third base) did not work.
Caballero played for Tampa and was traded to the Yankees. He was traded when these two teams were playing last season, and all he had to do was walk in the tunnels at Yankee Stadium to his new team. He is motivated to play against his former team. Volpe, too, has motivation. He was benched this year and sent to the Minor Leagues. Did you think adding these two players to the lineup would generate more offense?
Yankees Against Tampa Bay Rays Game Summary October 7
The Yankees were hoping that lineup changes and a start from Max Fried would get them out of the funk that had them in a 2-0 hole to the Rays. They faced elimination as they came home, so would the Pinstripes and home crowd help the Bombers? Here is a game summary.
In the third inning, Jonathan Aranda singled, and Jonny DeLuca scored. The Rays were leading this game 1-0. However, Tyler Walls was thrown out at home to end the inning. In the bottom of the third inning, Ben Rice singled, and Spencer Jones scored. That tied the game at 1.
In the fourth inning, Ryan Villade hit a solo home run. The Rays retook the lead 2-1. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Spencer Jones doubled, and Anthony Volpe scored. The game was tied at two. Then Jose Caballero struck out; the Yankees have not led in this series to this point.
In the sixth inning, Victor Mesa Jr. hit a two-run home run. José Caminero scored. The score was 4-2 Rays. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Anthony Volpe doubled and George Lombard Jr. scored. The score was 4-3 Rays.
More Errors Than Hits
Officially, in the two games in Tampa, the Yankees got five hits and made four errors. However, there should have been a fifth error, and George Lombard Jr. saved Jazz Chisolm Jr. with an outstanding play at second base. So, officially, the team had one more hit than error in the two games in Tampa. However, they could have easily been charged with more errors, and their offensive production was pathetic. Manager Aaron Boone sacrificed some defense for offense with his lineup in this game, in an attempt to get the team going. It is fair to wonder if these moves will help the team.
This Game and the Next
The Yankees lost this game 4-3. The player of the game was Victor Mesa Jr. He hit a big sixth-inning two-run home run. That shot, a no-doubter, gave the Rays a 4-2 lead. He is from Cuba. That hit chased Max Fried from the game. The series is now over. The Rays advance to the American League Championship Series against either the White Sox or the Guardians on October 12. The Yankees advance to the golf course; their season is over. Now Aaron Judge has a lot of time to heal.
Conclusion: Will Boone and Cashman Get Fired?
The Yankees last won the World Series in 2009. The goal of the team, as stated every spring, is to win the World Series. Fans are frustrated with the manager of the team, Aaron Boone, and they are puzzled over the failure at the trade deadline to acquire a right-handed hitting catcher or bullpen help. Those who question these decisions are squarely questioning the General Manager of the team, Brian Cashman. You cannot fire the players, but the team will not get rid of these two. They are protected by owner Hal Steinbrenner. His father would have never gone for this.
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