This time, it was the Tampa Bay Rays who turned into the Bronx Bombers.
The Rays salvaged one game of their three-game set with the New York Yankees, powering five home runs to pace an 8-1 victory over the Yankees. The Rays scored five times with two out in the top of the first on two homers, three doubles and a single.
Steven Souza Jr., on his 27th birthday, hit two home runs to lead the way. Corey Dickerson, Steve Pearce and Logan Forsythe also hit home runs for the Rays, who were averaging 3.35 runs per game (26th in the AL).
“We have the ability to put the ball out of the park,” said manager Kevin Cash.
Drew Smyly won his first game of the year with an unusual amount of support. Before Sunday, he had led in only one inning all year, and in three previous starts, the Rays had backed him with only three runs.
Forsythe had three hits for the Rays.
Tampa Bay returns home to play the Baltimore Orioles tonight. Chris Archer (0-4) goes for his first win of the year.