Juan Soto’s blast was ultimately the difference.
But Anthony Volpe’s at-bat before the three-run homer was just as important.
The shortstop’s RBI single gave the Yankees the lead, continued the momentum produced by the bottom of the order, and was a needed hit for a player who had been struggling.
“Bringing the infield in, he’s able to get a piece of it just enough to get it over the infielder’s head,” manager Aaron Boone said after the Yankees’ 5-3 win over the Rays at the Stadium on Friday night. “Just a big at-bat there, to set up Juan.”
The game turned in the seventh inning, when the Yankees plated all five of their runs.
Volpe entered the frame in an 0-for-13 skid after such a promising start to the season.
His move to the leadoff spot, with DJ LeMahieu injured and Gleyber Torres struggling, hadn’t worked out as well of late.
In his previous at-bat, he tried to bunt his way on.
But he didn’t get it past the first baseman, and had to settle for a sacrifice.
“He almost got a great push bunt,” Boone said. “That open right side before, I thought it was a great time for it.”
This time, he swung away, and lined a single to center field, giving the Yankees the lead in snapping his hitless drought.
Soto followed with the three-run bomb and Volpe closed the game out by starting a 6-4 double play on a Richie Palacios line drive.
The heroes of that seventh inning were the bottom of the order, and the Rays’ faulty gloves.
Alex Verdugo reached on second baseman Curtis Mead’s fielding error with one out.
Jose Trevino worked a walk.
Verdugo scored when first baseman Yandy Diaz couldn’t handle Oswaldo Cabrera’s grounder, setting the stage for Volpe and Soto.
“You see Cabrera, he had a great at-bat. He deserved to get a hit right there,” Soto said. “Those guys, him and [Trevino], those guys were taking great pitches and getting on base. That’s what it takes.”
