NEW YORK — With the closing of trades on the horizon and an atmosphere of uncertainty in the clubhouse, the Yankees decided to speak with their bats. Cody Bellinger hit a three-run homer to tie the score and Anthony Volpe drove in the go-ahead run in the 7-5 victory over the Rays, this Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.
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“We read the rumors, but we don’t know what’s going to happen,” Bellinger acknowledged. “The only thing we can control is what we do on the field.” The game started uphill for the home team, after an error by Volpe that preceded a two-run triple by Jonny DeLuca against starting pitcher Max Fried. However, Bellinger’s twentieth home run of the season erased the disadvantage, also compensating for a solo home run by Mexican Jonathan Aranda in the third inning. The speed, unusual in the Yankees’ game this year, made a difference in the fourth inning. Jasson Domínguez got on base with a single, stole second base, advanced with a fly ball, and scored on a hit by Volpe. Then, Volpe himself caused a double steal and ended up scoring after an error by catcher Nick Fortes. Paul Goldschmidt also contributed with a run-scoring single that extended the lead. Max Fried pitched 6.2 innings with effort, allowing four hits and four runs (two earned), with 111 pitches — his highest total of the season. The lefty left the game after conceding a run-scoring double to Taylor Walls. With this victory, the Yankees are still in the race while awaiting front office moves in the final hours before the trade deadline. For now, the message is clear: the focus is where it should be, between the foul lines.
