The Yankees fell to the Rays, 2-1, in 12 innings on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. >> Box score
Five takeaways from Tuesday's game...
1) Jordan Montgomery started as the Yankees' opener, and he pitched well. Over his two innings of work, the lefty allowed three hits, but he didn't give up any runs, while striking out three Rays. The way the Yankees deploy their pitching over their final handful of games will be very interesting to watch as the playoffs approach. On Wednesday, the Bombers had planned to use Chad Green as an opener before turning the ball over to J.A. Happ, but Green pitched out of the bullpen on Tuesday in extras.
2) For the first time in his 19 big-league seasons, CC Sabathia pitched a regular season game out of the bullpen. The lefty had pitched 3576.1 innings in his illustrious career, but his one inning of relief on Tuesday was something new for the veteran. He pitched an easy bottom of the fourth for the Yankees, striking out Travis d'Arnaud and Matt Duffy in a 1-2-3 frame.
3) Cameron Maybin blasted a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead and setting a Major League record in the process. The outfielder became the 14th Yankee to hit at least 10 home runs on the season, something no team has ever done before.
4) Gio Urshela was hit by a fastball on hit left hand in the top of sixth inning. Urshela instantly fell to the ground in pain, but after the medical staff came out to check on him, he stayed in the game as the runner at first base. Urshela had a noticeable bruise on that left hand as the inning came to an end. He was pulled from the game for the bottom of the seventh inning.
5) The Yankees and Rays remained tied at 1-1 until the bottom of the 12th inning, when Ji-man Choi lined a Corey Gearrin breaking ball over the fence in right for a walk-off home run.
Highlights
Cameron Maybin is the 14th Yankee this season to reach double digits in home runs, an MLB record.
- Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) September 24, 2019
(via @Yankees) pic.twitter.com/soCM216eOk
What's next
The Yankees complete their brief two-game series against the Rays on Wednesday night. The Yankees had planned to start Chad Green as an opener, with J.A Happ to follow out of the bullpen, though Green pitched in relief on Tuesday. The Rays expect to go with Charlie Morton (15-6, 3.15), with first pitch set for 7:10 p.m.