NEW YORK–Josh Donaldson hit a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning as the clock struck midnight, and the struggling New York Yankees salvaged an 8-7 win over the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday night to avoid a three-game win.
Gleyber Torres led Jalen Beeks (2-2) in the 10th and Anthony Rizzo walked before Donaldson lifted a 97-mph one-strike fastball to the short porch in right field. He flicked his bat and raised his arms immediately after connecting.
Aroldis Chapman (2-3) gave up three runs at the top of 10th for New York, who were coming in with three straight losses and 12-of-15.
But the Yankees finally got some help from their offense, and for the first time since Aug. 8, they threw more than three runs in a game. New York had one run overall in their last three games.
The Rays led 4-2 when play was interrupted by rain, with one atop seventh place. The ensuing 1 hour and 3 minute delay was worth it for the Yankees, who ended Tampa Bay’s four-game winning streak.
Though the Yankees have been 9-16 since the All-Star break, their lead over the AL East has dwindled to 10 games ahead of Tampa Bay and Toronto. New York has led the division by double digits for all but two days since June 13.
Rizzo led from eighth place with a Brooks Raley homer to make it 4-4. The game went into extra innings when Ryan Thompson pulled out Major League home run leader Aaron Judge with a warning lane flyball.
Chapman unburdened Scott Effross with an out in the 10th and gave up two walks to load bases. With two outs, Francisco Mejía sliced a 101-mph 0-2 fastball down the right field line for a base-clearing double.
Yandy Díaz hit a season-high with three RBI, hitting an RBI double in the third and a two-run double in the fifth ahead of Yankees starter Domingo Germán.
Tampa Bay’s Harold Ramírez added a solo homer in the sixth of his second game after a broken right thumb.
Torres started New York’s comeback with a two-run homer in the sixth ahead of Corey Kluber. Judge’s base-loaded walk in the seventh round put the Yankees 4-3, but Pete Fairbanks got Torres hitting double play in an inning-ending.
Kluber allowed two runs and four hits in six innings.
Germán allowed three runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Tampa Bay jumped forward with a first-round out when Díaz doubled up left fielder Andrew Benintendi and Jose Siri hit from the first minute as the Yankees missed the cutoff man.
The Rays had three straight one-outs in the fifth game to take a 3-0 lead when Díaz doubled down the left field line. Ramírez opened the sixth by reaching the left field spots for his fifth homer.
A 90’S FIRST
For the first time in franchise history, the Yankees started with three players wearing jersey numbers in the ’90s.
In addition to judge number 99, Callup Oswaldo Cabrera received number 95 and Estevan Florial wore number 90.
New York has four players with jersey numbers over 90, as reliever Ron Marinaccio wears number 97.
TRAINING ROOM
Rays: SS Wander Franco (right hamate bone) was held out of Triple-A Durham’s lineup with hand pain. He is expected to resume his rehab assignment on Thursday.
Yankees: INF DJ LeMahieu (right big toe) did not start for the fourth straight game named a pinch-hitter in the eighth. LeMahieu said he expects to start Thursday. …OF/DH Giancarlo Stanton (Achilles) could start a rehab stint this weekend and return next week. … RHP Clay Holmes (rear), who last served on Friday, has been placed on the injured list.
NEXT
Rays: Open a four-game streak against visiting Kansas City on Thursday. The Rays have not announced a starter.
Yankees: RHP Frankie Montas (4-9, 3.59 ERA) will make his home debut in Thursday’s opening game of a four-game series against Toronto RHP José Berríos (8-5, 5.61).
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