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Yankees Defeat Rays in Second Half Opener with Strong Performances from Soto and Cole
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    Yankees Defeat Rays in Second Half Opener with Strong Performances from Soto and Cole

    NEW YORK — Gerrit Cole struck out eight in six strong innings, Juan Soto went 4 for 4 and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 on Friday night.

    Cole (3-1), making his sixth start since returning from right elbow inflammation on June 20, allowed one run and six hits on a night fans received a promotional bobblehead of the 33-year-old right-hander holding his Cy Young Award. He walked one and threw 103 pitches — reaching the 100 mark for the second straight outing.

    Soto reached base five times and continued his personal success against Tampa Bay starter Zach Eflin (5-7) with three hits, including a double in the fourth inning when he scored after two Rays errors. Soto is hitting .500 (17 for 34) off Eflin, whom he faced often when the right-hander was with the Phillies and he was with Washington.

    Soto added his fourth hit of the game, leading off the sixth with a double off Shawn Armstrong. He scored on an RBI single by Aaron Judge.

    Soto had his second four-hit game since joining the Yankees in a December trade from the Padres. It was the right fielder’s ninth career four-hit game and his average climbed from .295 to .303. In his first chance at getting a fifth hit, Soto drew a walk in the eighth.

    Anthony Volpe hit a bases-clearing double in a four-run third inning off Eflin and had his first multi-hit game since June 28.

    The Yankees took a 1-0 lead on Alex Verdugo’s grounder after two walks and a bunt single by Soto loaded the bases. After Austin Wells kept the inning going with a walk, Volpe lined a 1-2 curveball down the left field line for a 4-0 lead.

    Soto got his third hit in the fourth, a double to the warning track in left-center. Left fielder Randy Arozarena bobbled the ball, enabling Soto to take third, and Soto scored on a throwing error by second baseman Richie Palacios.

    Brandon Lowe homered in the sixth for the Rays, who went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position. Tampa Bay is 1 for 41 with runners in scoring position in its last four games.

    Eflin allowed five runs, four earned, and seven hits in five innings. The 30-year-old righty struck out five and tied a career high by issuing four walks.

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    Rays: 3B Yandy Díaz missed the game due to personal reasons. … RHP Jeffrey Springs (elbow) will start for Triple-A Durham on Saturday. … RHP Drew Rasmussen (elbow) will start for Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

    Yankees: DH Giancarlo Stanton (strained left hamstring) ran the bases and took swings in the batting cage. … INF Jon Berti (strained left calf) had a minor setback and will receive a platelet rich plasma injection Saturday. … RHP Clarke Schmidt (right lat strain) will throw 15 to 20 pitches off a mound on Saturday.

    UP NEXT

    Tampa Bay RHP Taj Bradley (4-4, 2.90 ERA) opposes New York LHP Nestor Cortes (4-8, 3.67) on Saturday afternoon.

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    In a highly anticipated matchup to kick off the second half of the MLB season, the New York Yankees came out on top with a 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The game was a showcase of strong performances from key players on both teams, but it was the standout efforts of Juan Soto and Gerrit Cole that ultimately propelled the Yankees to victory.

    Soto, who was acquired by the Yankees in a blockbuster trade earlier in the season, wasted no time making an impact in his debut with the team. The young outfielder went 3-for-4 at the plate, including a crucial two-run home run in the fifth inning that gave the Yankees a lead they would not relinquish. Soto’s ability to come through in clutch situations and provide power in the middle of the lineup was a welcome sight for Yankees fans who have been eagerly awaiting his arrival.

    On the mound, Gerrit Cole continued his dominant season with another stellar performance against a tough Rays lineup. Cole went seven innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out nine batters. His ability to command his pitches and keep hitters off balance was on full display, as he consistently worked ahead in the count and induced weak contact when needed. Cole’s performance was a reminder of why he is considered one of the best pitchers in the game and a key piece of the Yankees’ championship aspirations.

    Overall, the Yankees’ victory over the Rays was a statement win to start the second half of the season. With strong performances from Soto and Cole leading the way, the team showed that they have the talent and depth to compete with the best teams in the league. As they look to make a push for the playoffs in the second half of the season, the Yankees will be counting on continued contributions from their star players to carry them to success.