Juan Soto collected four hits, including a double in the fifth inning, where he scored on two errors by the Rays as the host New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 on Friday night. Anthony Volpe hit a bases-clearing double in the third off Tampa Bay starter Zach Eflin (5-7) and Aaron Judge added an RBI single in the sixth after Soto doubled for his fourth hit. Soto got his second four-hit game of the season as the Yankees won for the third time in four games and also the ninth time in 27 contests. Soto, who has reached in 84 games with the Yankees, also got on base for the fifth time when he drew a walk in the eighth. Alex Verdugo added an RBI groundout as the Yankees improved to 6-4 in the season series with the Rays. New York ace Gerrit Cole (3-1) allowed one run on six hits in six solid innings to win his second straight start. In his sixth outing since returning from elbow inflammation, Cole struck out eight, walked one and threw 103 pitches. Brandon Lowe homered for the Rays, who have scored seven runs in their past four games. Eflin allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits in five innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked four in an 88-pitch outing. The Yankees loaded the bases in the third inning on a bunt base hit by Soto sandwiched around walks by rookie Ben Rice and Aaron Judge. Verdugo swung at the next pitch and Rice scored on his grounder for a 1-0 lead. After Eflin retired Gleyber Torres, Austin Wells kept the inning alive with a walk and Volpe hit a 1-2 curveball down the left field line for a 4-0 lead Soto made it 5-0 when he doubled to the warning track in left field and reached third when left fielder Randy Arozarena bobbled the ball. Soto then scored when second baseman Richie Palacios committed a throwing error. Tommy Kahnle, Jake Cousins and Caleb Ferguson pitched a scoreless inning apiece for New York. --Field Level Media
Jul 19, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Juan Soto (22) is greeted by designated hitter Aaron Judge (99) after scoring in the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports