Yankees Game Recap: Alex Rodriguez Leads Yankees Over Tampa 5-4

The New York Yankees rode a two home run night by Alex Rodriguez to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 in Tampa on Friday night.

Rodriguez put the Yankees on top 1-0 in the second with a 471 foot home run to left center off Rays´starter Nate Karns. Rodriguez, who has had no trouble turning on fast balls this season, notched number 657 of his career.

In the fourth, Stephen Drew added to the Yankees lead. He rocketed a drive to right to make it 2-0.

But Tampa battled back against Yankees starter Adam Warren in the bottom of the inning. Allan Dykstra lifted a three run shot that hit the right foul pole to give the Rays a 3-2 lead. Then Logan Forsythe added a solo home run to make it 4-2. 

More from Yankees News

• Yankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendar
• Yankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielder
• Michael Kay’s Anthony Volpe story will get Yankees fans amped for Opening Day
• No, Yankees should not acquire Trevor Bauer for 2023
• Yankees’ Marwin González replaces Red Sox LF in Japan in logical next step

But in the sixth, Rodriguez came to the plate after a Brian McCann walk. Alex then lined his second home run of the game, a lined-shot down the left field line, to tie the score at four.

But he wasn´t done yet. In the eighth, Carlos Beltran singled. Brett Gardner came in to pinch run for Beltran. After a Mark Teixeira fly out to center, Gardner stole second. That brought A-Rod to the plate with a chance to put the Yankees in front. He didn’t disappoint, dropping a single to center. Gardner raced home to give the Yankees a 5-4 lead.

Joe Girardi elected to go to Andrew Miller for four outs. Against Miller in the ninth, Forsythe reached first with an infield single for the Rays. But Miller then struck out three straight batters to squelch the Tampa rally. Dellin Betances recorded three outs to get the ball to Miller, who picked up his third save of the season.

With his two home runs, Rodriguez is closing in on Willie Mays as he works his way up the all time home run list. He now has 658, leaving him only two behind Mays.

More from Yanks Go Yard

• Should Yankees toss short-term extension at Harrison Bader before 2023?
• Yankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendar
• Yankees State of the Farm System Review: Josh Breaux
• Yankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielder
• MLB insider claims favorite emerging in Bryan Reynolds rumors (not Yankees)