The Tampa Bay Rays (54-36) defeated the New York Yankees (50-42) 3-0 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. It was the second straight win for the Rays, who now lead the Yankees by five games atop the American League East standings.
Shane McClanahan (8-5, 2.83) worked into the seventh inning for the first time in three years, pitching six and one-third shutout innings in which he allowed four hits while striking out five and walking none. Cole Sulser finished the seventh and pitched a scoreless eighth before giving way to Bryan Baker, who struck out the side in the ninth to earn his 25th save.
Jonathan Aranda accounted for all three runs in this game. In the third inning he had a RBI single, added a RBI double in the fifth inning and a sacrifice fly in the seventh. He finished 2-for-3 with three runs driven in - Yandy Diaz also had a big game, going 4-for-4 with a run scored.
The Rays will now try to win the four game series when they meet the Yankees in the finale on Thursday afternoon. First pitch Thursday is scheduled for 1:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at high noon on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES