Aranda Hit The Clutch, Simpson Hit The Gas: Rays 5, Yankees 4
Apr 11, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda (8) is doused with water after hitting a walk off single against the New York Yankeesin the tenth inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images This game started like a chess match and ended like a street race, and once the Rays hit the gas, the Yankees could not catch a break.
For six innings, this one had all the tension of a real pitchers’ duel. Nick Martinez was not overpowering, but he was calm throughout, which against the Yankees counts for plenty. He opened the night by walking Trent Grisham, giving up a single to Cody Bellinger, then watching Bellinger steal second with Ben Rice and Giancarlo Stanton lurking.
That looked like early trouble. Instead, Martinez struck out Rice, then got Stanton to line out. Crisis avoided.
Max Fried was doing the same thing on the other side, keeping the Rays from getting comfortable and making every baserunner feel important, especially after retiring the Rays in order in the first. The Yankees struck first in the second when Austin Wells hit a solo homer to right, but the Rays answered right away. Junior Caminero doubled, Ben Williamson moved him over with a groundout, and Jonny DeLuca dropped a single into right to tie it at 1-1.
That became the shape of the night. New York makes a move; Tampa Bay counters to keep victory within reach. Austin Wells (1) Opponent: Tampa Bay Rays Pitcher: Nick Martinez Date: 04/11/2026 pic.
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