Monday, 4 a.m.
These days, the New York Yankees may not be worth a nickel on a $336 million investment.
They're on a five-game losing streak. For all their power, they scored just 11 runs in their sweep at the hands of Tampa Bay. They're one game over .500 and fading.
On the other hand, they're still the Yankees.
And doesn't it feel good to beat them?
The Rays made it three in a row over the Yankees Sunday, winning 5-4 and passing the .500 mark themselves. It was the first time the Rays have swept the Yankees at Tropicana Field.
Drew Rasmussen was sharp for the Rays, pitching six innings and allowing only one hit and no runs. He struck out seven in his return from paternity leave.
The bullpen had a harder time, giving up four earned runs and six hits. But Mason Englert survived the ninth after Aaron Judge's two-run homer and a misplayed fly ball by center fielder Cedric Mullins. It was Englert's second save.
The offensive star was Chandler Simpson, who is now hitting .411 after a three-hit day. He scored two runs, drove in one and tripled in the eighth inning.
Junior Caminero and Taylor Walls each had two hits.
The Rays travel to Chicago on Tuesday to play the White Sox at 7:40 p.m. at Rate Field. The Rays will start Shane McClanahan against Noah Schultz.