Rays wait out Cole, capitalize late: Rays 4, Yankees 2
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Jonathan Aranda #8 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts after an RBI double during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 22, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images Entering the eighth inning down by a run, the Tampa Bay Rays did what they have done all year. They found a way.
This time, they turned a one run deficit into a three-run lead in a matter of six batters and flipped the script in the Bronx. Facing reliever Tim Hill, Simpson reached on an error by Jose Caballero to start the inning. Caminero singled up the middle and Simpson took the extra bag advancing to third.
With runners on the corners, Aranda doubled to tie the game at 1-1. The Yankees then intentionally walked Diaz to load the bases with nobody out. Palacios promptly delivered with a ground ball single that deflected off of Hill’s glove and over a leaping Caballero.
Two runs scored and the Rays took a 3-1 lead. Vilade then drove home a pinch running Willaims to extend the lead to 4-1. View Link Prior to the eventful top of the eighth, this game was basically all Yankees, despite the slim one run margin.
Gerrit Cole, making his first start since the 2024 World Series, was dominant. Had he not been making what was essentially another rehab start at the major league level, he may have gone the distance tonight. Opposite Cole was Nick Martinex who has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season.