Rays 8, Yankees 1
NEW YORK -- Steven Souza Jr. homered twice, Drew Smyly pitched seven innings and the Tampa Bay Rays hit five home runs an 8-1 rout of the New York Yankees Sunday afternoon.
Corey Dickerson, Steve Pearce and Logan Forsythe also homered for Tampa Bay, which scored more than three runs for the fourth time in its first 18 games. The Rays hit five home runs in a game for the first time since June 29, 2014, at Baltimore.
Brad Miller added an RBI double for the Rays, who tagged right-hander Michael Pineda (1-2) for seven runs and 10 hits in five innings.
Alex Rodriguez had an RBI double for the Yankees but was lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth with left oblique stiffness. He was headed for an MRI.
The Rays hit five home runs for the first time in New York since hitting five solo home runs in a 5-1 win on Aug. 12, 2011. It was the third time Tampa Bay hit at least five home runs at the current Yankee Stadium.
Five days after he was the first visiting left-hander to allow one hit or less and get double-digit strikeouts at Fenway Park, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Smyly allowed one run and six hits Sunday. He finished with six strikeouts and improved to 10-2 against AL East opponents.
Pineda finished with a strange line. While he gave up a career-worst four home runs, Pineda also struck out nine and issued one walk, becoming the first pitcher in Yankee history to allow seven runs and four home runs and get nine strikeouts.
The Rays struck quickly with two outs against Pineda for a five-run first.
Evan Longoria nearly hit a solo home run but settled for a double, and Dickerson made it 2-0 by sending the next pitch into the right-center-field bleachers.
Tampa Bay took a 3-0 lead when Miller lined an RBI double to left field, and the lead stretched to 5-0 when Souza hit a 2-0 fastball into the left field seats.
Tampa Bay went up 6-0 when Pearce opened the third by driving the first pitch into the left-field seats for his first home run, and Souza's second home run made it 7-1 in the fifth. The Rays scored their final run on Forsythe's home run in the eighth.
The Yankees got a run back with two outs in the fourth when Rodriguez doubled off the left-field wall.
NOTES: New York OF Aaron Hicks did not play Sunday due to the sore left shoulder he injured Friday and there is not a clear timetable for his return. Hicks said he is making the trip to Texas and manager Joe Girardi said there is not a plan to place him on the disabled list. ... The Rays purchased the contract of RHP Jhan Martinez from Triple-A Durham to take the spot of LHP Blake Snell, who was optioned after Saturday's game. To make room for Martinez, RHP Alex Cobb (Tommy John surgery) was moved to the 60-day disabled list. Asked what he thought of Snell a day later, manager Kevin Cash said: "Just zero fear whatsoever. He's not concerned about shying away from contact." ... The Yankees held a moment of silence for minor leaguer infielder Sandy Acevedo. The 18-year-old was killed in a car accident Saturday night. The Yankees signed him out of the Dominican Republic last July.