ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Yankees arrived at Tropicana Field on Tuesday hoping to snap out of a multi-week slump.
They even took the lead in the top of the first inning.
But the good vibes didn’t last long, and the Yankees continued their troubling downward slide.
Carlos Rodon gave up four runs before recording an out, and the Yankees found themselves in a tough spot as they lost to the Rays, 5-3.
With Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman in attendance, the Yankees (55-38) lost for the 17th time in their last 23 games as Rodon’s early reliance on the fastball backfired again.
Ben Rice hit a two-run homer off lefty reliever Colin Posch in the seventh inning to pull the Yankees within one run, 4-3, but the Yankees couldn’t get any closer as the Rays (45-46) snapped a three-game losing streak.
Cashman met with reporters before the game and acknowledged the Yankees’ struggles but expressed confidence the team can turn things around.
But they botched their latest attempt.
Rodon was leading 1-0 before taking the mound, but the lead was quickly given up.
Yandy Diaz singled to lead off the inning, then Randy Arozarena smashed a double down the left field line and scored on a ball that Alex Verdugo couldn’t make a clean catch on the corner.
Amed Rosario then singled, and then Rodon threw a 96 mph fastball in the bottom of the zone and Isaac Paredes smashed a three-run homer to left field for a 4-1 lead.
From there, Rodon began to ease up a bit, throwing nine of his first 14 pitches as fastballs before mixing in some second pitches, including an effective changeup (he drew seven strikeouts in 26 pitches).
Still, the left-hander only managed to pitch four innings, needing 95 pitches (30 in the first inning and 31 in the third) to get 12 outs.
Rodon had a 2.93 ERA through his first 14 starts this season but posted a 10.57 ERA over his next five starts, allowing eight home runs during that stretch.
The Yankees took the lead with Gleyber Torres returning from a two-game absence with a groin strain, driving in Juan Soto with a single.
The Rays added two more runs in the eighth inning when Jose Siri singled off Michael Tonkin and Johnny DeLuca hit a check-swing double off Tommy Kahnle.
