Rays use speed to keep winning, strive to extend Yanks' skid

The Tampa Bay Rays got their first look at Chandler Simpson's speed in the majors last season, and his impact has helped clinch a series victory over the New York Yankees this weekend in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Rays would like to see Simpson make a continued impact, while the Yankees hope to keep the outfielder off the bases and get their offense rolling again Sunday afternoon when the American League East foes conclude a three-game series.

The Rays have earned a pair of close victories in the series in their return under the roof at Tropicana Field after playing home games last season at Steinbrenner Field -- New York's spring training facility in Tampa, Fla.

Simpson drove in the go-ahead and an insurance run out of the leadoff spot in the sixth inning of Friday's 5-3 victory. The left-handed hitter did not start Saturday when the Rays faced left-hander Max Fried but made his mark in the late innings.

After entering as a pinch runner in the eighth, Simpson started the 10th with a bunt single and stole second. He scored the winning run in a 5-4 victory when Jonathan Aranda hit a chopper that New York second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. could not field cleanly.

Simpson had 44 stolen bases last season and has six in 14 games this year.

"A game like that is awesome to win," Rays shortstop Taylor Walls said Saturday in his postgame radio interview.

Simpson's speed capped a game when the Rays had nine hits, and seven were singles. One was Walls' game-tying bunt single in the 10th that scored one run and moved Simpson to third base.

"We had probably the right guys up that can move the ball a little bit," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. "Some key bunting right there."

The Rays are 11-6 in their past 17 games against the Yankees in climate-controlled Tropicana Field and are playing an opponent on a four-game losing streak.

The Yankees went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 on Saturday. They have nine runs in their past four games. During the skid, New York is batting .142 (18-for-127) with 44 strikeouts.

New York is coming off its best showing of the losing streak, as it drew seven walks and saw Jose Caballero drive in three runs with a two-run double in the eighth and an RBI single in the 10th.

"Tough one," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I thought offensively today some better at-bats, better contact in some situations. Today felt like we hit the ball on the screws quite a bit. Some for outs in big spots but encouraging to see that, but, hopefully, some guys get some traction there."

After Tampa Bay starters Steven Matz and Nick Martinez combined to hold the Yankees to three runs in 9 2/3 innings of the first two games, right-hander Drew Rasmussen (0-0, 1.80 ERA) is expected to return from the paternity list for his first start since April 1.

Rasmussen has allowed two earned on seven hits in a pair of no-decisions at St. Louis and Milwaukee. He threw 73 pitches in his season debut and 89 in his second start.

Rasmussen is 3-1 with a 1.19 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) against the Yankees.

Cam Schlittler (2-0, 1.62 ERA), who has 22 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings, will start for the Yankees. After scoreless outings in San Francisco and Seattle, the right-hander allowed three runs on five hits in five innings in a no-decision against the A's on Tuesday, when the Yankees scored four times in the eighth inning of a 5-3 home win.

Schlittler is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in two career starts against the Rays.

--Field Level Media