Thursday, 4 a.m.
What is the distance between success and failure? Between a great play and an error? Between a loss and a victory?
Perhaps it is about the same amount of time that the ball stayed in Jose Caballero’s glove.
The Rays held on to beat the New York Yankees, 5-4, and win their three-game series against the Yankees. The Rays are now 46-47 on the season.
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The play that will linger in this one came on the final out of the game and a runner on third. Gleyber Torres of the Yankees hit a bloop into center field between Caballero and center fielder Jose Siri. At the last second, Caballero reached out and caught the ball. After a heartbeat, the ball dropped to the ground.
The Yankees appealed the play, but the umpires ruled that Caballero held the ball long enough for the out.
The Rays bullpen allowed just one run and two hits, but it was behind on a lot of counts.
The final three Rays’ pitchers threw just 26 strikes on 53 pitches. Closer Pete Fairbanks gave up two walks and a hit, but still earned his 16th save.
The Rays jumped to an early lead on a two-run home run by Randy Arozarena in the first. The Rays scored five runs and got seven hits against New York starter Nestor Cortes in 4 1/3 innings.
Brandon Lowe had three hits for the Rays.
Yandy Diaz had two doubles for the Rays.
The Rays have Thursday off, but face the Cleveland Guardians on Friday at 6:40 p.m. at the Trop.