BaseballBen Rice homered twice — and the Yankees still lost the postseason opener
Tampa Bay punished a sloppy New York night with a four-run fifth to win 5-2 at Tropicana Field.
Tampa Bay turned a messy New York night into a 5-2 postseason win at Tropicana Field, one big fifth inning settling it.
Ben Rice did his part with two home runs. It changed nothing. Tampa Bay beat the Yankees 5-2 at Tropicana Field in postseason play, and the difference was New York's sloppiness — errors that handed the Rays extra chances they did not waste.
The game swung in the fifth, when Tampa Bay stacked four runs on the board in a single inning. From there, the Rays' defence stayed spotless and the bullpen handled the rest, smothering every comeback attempt Rice's power kept flickering.
For the Yankees, it is the harsh version of October baseball: two homers from one batter, and still a defeat built on giveaways. The Rays won the way autumn teams like to — no mistakes, steady arms, one decisive burst.
BaseballTampa Bay punished a sloppy New York night with a four-run fifth to win 5-2 at Tropicana Field.
BaseballAtlanta welcome Los Angeles having won six of the last eight meetings between these clubs.
BaseballAtlanta has won six of the last eight against Los Angeles, and Monday's 3-2 win sets up another tight one at Truist Park.