In a commanding performance at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, the New York Yankees (68-57) overwhelmed the Tampa Bay Rays (61-65) with a 13-3 victory, showcasing their offensive firepower and solid pitching. The game, played on August 20, 2025, saw standout performances from pitcher Carlos Rodon and outfielder Cody Bellinger, who earned the “Players of the Game” honors with their exceptional contributions.
Carlos Rodon (P): Rodon delivered a stellar performance on the mound, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing just 2 earned runs on 5 hits, with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts over 102 pitches. His ability to keep the Rays’ offense in check was pivotal in securing the win, earning him a well-deserved 20.5 fantasy points. Rodon’s 3.24 ERA and 1.07 WHIP this season underscore his reliability as a key starter for the Yankees.
Cody Bellinger (CF): Bellinger was a force at the plate, going 4-for-5 with 3 runs scored, 3 RBIs, and 2 home runs. His offensive outburst included a homer in the first inning and another in the sixth, contributing significantly to the Yankees’ run total. Bellinger’s 15.5 fantasy points and his .270/.323/.498 slash line highlight his importance to the lineup.
Game Recap: Inning-by-Inning Breakdown
First Inning: Yankees Set the Tone Early The Yankees wasted no time asserting dominance. Facing Rays starter Shane Baz, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton each homered in the first inning, giving New York an immediate 3-0 lead. Judge’s solo shot to center, followed by back-to-back homers from Bellinger and Stanton, set the stage for a lopsided affair. The Rays, meanwhile, failed to capitalize on a leadoff single by Curtis Simpson, as Rodon induced a fielder’s choice and a flyout to keep Tampa Bay scoreless.
Second Inning: Yankees Keep the Pressure On The Yankees continued their offensive onslaught in the second. Jazz Chisholm singled, and Jose Caballero launched a two-run homer to right, scoring Anthony Volpe, who had reached on a fielder’s choice. Despite a walk to Trent Grisham and a single by Bellinger, the inning ended with a flyout, but New York extended their lead to 5-0. The Rays responded in the bottom half, as Evan Pereira and Jake Mangum singled, and Nick Fortes drove in Pereira with a single. Mangum later scored on a fielder’s choice by Simpson, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
Third Inning: Chisholm Adds to the Lead Chisholm’s solo homer in the third inning off Baz pushed the Yankees’ lead to 6-2. Rodon, meanwhile, kept the Rays quiet, allowing only a hit-by-pitch to Brandon Lowe and inducing a double play to maintain control.
Fourth Inning: Yankees Break It Open The fourth inning saw the Yankees explode for four more runs against reliever Ian Seymour. Judge walked, Bellinger singled, and Stanton crushed his second homer of the night, a three-run shot to right-center. Ben Rice followed with a solo homer, making it 10-2. Rodon continued to dominate, striking out two and retiring the Rays in order.
Fifth and Sixth Innings: Bellinger’s Second Blast The fifth inning was quiet for the Yankees, with a double play erasing a walk to Caballero. However, the sixth inning brought more fireworks. Judge singled, and Bellinger launched his second homer of the game, a two-run shot to right, pushing the score to 12-2. Rodon completed his outing, allowing a single to Christopher Morel but keeping the Rays off the board.
Seventh and Eighth Innings: Rays Show Signs of Life The Yankees’ offense slowed in the seventh, managing only a double by Volpe against Garrett Cleavinger. In the eighth, Mark Leiter took over for Rodon and faced trouble when Jose Caballero’s fielding error allowed Bobby Seymour to reach base. The Rays couldn’t capitalize further, and the score remained 12-2. In the bottom of the eighth, Yerry De Los Santos struggled, allowing a double by Morel and an RBI single by Mangum, making it 12-3.
Ninth Inning: Yankees Cap the Victory In the ninth, Caballero added a solo homer off Mason Montgomery, and Amed Rosario doubled, but the Yankees settled for a 13-3 lead. Tim Hill closed out the game for New York, allowing a single to Tristan Gray but striking out Ha-Seong Kim to end the contest.
Key Performances and Stats
Yankees’ Offensive Firepower: The Yankees’ lineup was relentless, pounding out 16 hits, including 9 home runs. Stanton matched Bellinger’s impact, going 2-for-3 with 2 homers, 4 RBIs, and 15.0 fantasy points. Judge contributed a homer and 9.5 fantasy points, while Caballero’s two homers and 3 RBIs earned him 14.0 fantasy points. Chisholm and Rice also homered, with Chisholm adding a 6.0 fantasy point performance.
Rays’ Struggles: The Rays managed only 8 hits, with Mangum leading the way, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and 6.0 fantasy points. Morel’s double and Pereira’s stolen base were highlights, but the Rays left 20 runners on base, including several in scoring position, hampering their comeback efforts.
Pitching Breakdown: Rodon’s efficient outing was supported by relievers Mark Leiter, Yerry De Los Santos, and Tim Hill, though De Los Santos allowed a run in the eighth. For the Rays, Baz struggled, giving up 6 earned runs in 3.0 innings, while Seymour surrendered 6 more in relief. Cleavinger, Baker, and Montgomery provided some stability, but the damage was done early.
Takeaways and What’s Next
The Yankees’ offensive explosion, led by Bellinger, Stanton, and Judge, showcased their potential as a playoff contender. Rodon’s strong start further solidified their pitching depth. For the Rays, the loss highlighted their struggles against top-tier lineups, with Baz and Seymour unable to contain the Yankees’ power hitters.
Both teams will look to build on this game as the season progresses. The Yankees aim to maintain their momentum, while the Rays will need to regroup and address their pitching woes. With the postseason looming, performances like these could define the trajectory for both clubs.
Final Score: Yankees 13, Rays 3
Box Score Highlights:
Yankees: 16 hits, 9 HRs, 13 RBIs, 5 BBs, 10 SOs
Rays: 8 hits, 0 HRs, 3 RBIs, 3 BBs, 6 SOs
Attendance: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, FL
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Felix Pantaleon is The Founder of NYYNEWS.com The First & Oldest Independent New York Yankees Content Creator Platform, Since 2005.Follow on Social Media
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