Hitting a High Note: Yankees 2, Rays 0

About Yesterday Afternoon: Hitting a High Note. Yankees 2- Rays 0

By Tim Kabel

May 25, 2026

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“Winning in the Rain. The Yankees were winning in the rain. Such a glorious feeling; I’m happy again.”

This was the type of game the Yankees are going to have to play much more often if they are going to be contenders and advance into the postseason. Because a large portion of their lineup is ineffective, they cannot count on beating the opposition into submission every time. They are going to need to rely on timely offense, solid defense, and outstanding pitching. That's what they received yesterday and for the first time this season, they beat the Tampa Bay Rays.

Because Saturday's game was rained out, this became a two-game series and the Yankees and Rays split it. However, it was still a very close game and until the bottom of the ninth inning neither team had scored a run. The way the Yankees have played so far this season, this was a game they seemed likely to lose. If it had gone to extra innings, it is quite possible that one bullpen member or another would have coughed up a large lead to the Rays. Well, that didn't happen.

Ryan Weathers and Drew Rasmussen were both excellent. They each pitched seven shutout innings. Weathers allowed four hits, struck out four, and walked three. He is capable of dominant pitching performances, but he is also inconsistent. That is something he is going to need to improve. It is also possible he may shift into a bullpen role once Max Fried returns. That is a discussion for another day. For yesterday, Weathers pitched well despite the stormy weather.

The Yankees offense was not as anemic as it frequently has been, but they still had not scored any runs until the 9th inning. In the 9th inning, Kevin Kelly walked Trent Grisham, who was replaced by Max Schumann as a pinch runner. Aaron Judge then hit a first pitch sinker to the second row of the right center field seats for his 17th home run of the season. It was his first home run since May 10th and ended an 11-game streak in which he had no home runs and no RBI. Judge, who entered the game in a 1-24 slump, had two hits.

In the 8th inning, with two outs, Oliver Dunn was at second base with Junior Caminero at first. Ryan Vilade singled to left and Cody Bellinger threw out Caminero at third before Dunn crossed the plate, preserving the scoreless affair. That was the key play of the game. If Dunn had scored before the runner was out at third base, things might have been done differently. That's baseball, Suzyn.

This was a big victory for the Yankees because they moved back to within 4 1/2 games of Tampa Bay. They also picked up their first win of the year against the Rays, who lead the season series against the Yankees four games to one. I know it's early but remember last year the Yankees lost the season series to both the Red Sox and the Blue Jays and that came back to bite them in the postseason. There are many reasons why winning series against your division opponents is important. This year, the Rays seem to be the team the Yankees will need to beat. Hopefully they can do it with greater frequency moving forward. 

A Few Tidbits: 

·       This was Aaron Judge’s fourth walk-off home run and his first since 2022. It was also his eighth career walk-off hit.

·       The Rays are 16-4 in May. The Yankees are 11-11 in May and have six games left against the Royals and the A's. Normally I would say this would be a good time to rack up some wins. But we can't take anything for granted. Remember last week's series against the Mets.

·       This was the fastest game of the season for the Yankees, lasting 2 hours and 12 minutes.

·       Austin Wells reverted to form, going 0-3 and dropping his batting average to 165.

·       I read that Judge’s home run would have only been a home run in three Major League parks. Let me just say that I find those statements silly. It doesn't matter if it would have been a home run anywhere else. It was a home run yesterday in Yankee Stadium and it won the game. Case closed. Arguments like that in sports, politics, or any other venue are just silly. “I would have won the election if I had more votes.”

·       My prediction is that Anthony Volpe will be the starting shortstop today against the Kansas City Royals. I think Aaron Boone was waiting until the Yankees were on the road so that Volpe will not be showered with boos by the home fans, who prefer Jose Caballero.

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The Yankees will open a three-game series against the Royals this afternoon at 3:40 PM at Kauffman Stadium. Will Warren, (6-1, 3.61 ERA) will face Michael Wacha, (4-2, 2.70 ERA).