Yankees hold off Rays’ celebration with win in doubleheader opener

Cody Bellinger hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning as the host New York Yankees recorded a 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a day-night doubleheader on Tuesday.

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With the victory, the Yankees (90-66) prevented the Rays (95-61) from clinching the AL East and moved six games ahead of the Boston Red Sox for the American League’s top wild-card spot.

Tampa Bay still has a magic number of two to clinch the fifth divisional title in team history and first since 2021.

New York’s Carlos Rodon (7-3) scattered three singles over eight innings as the Yankees finished off the victory in a brisk 2 hours, 2 minutes. Rays right-hander Nick Martinez (15-5) allowed two runs on five hits over six innings with seven strikeouts to take his first loss since July 9.

Rodon allowed singles to Chandler Simpson in the second, Victor Mesa Jr. in the sixth and Jonathan Aranda in the seventh. The left-hander struck out eight in his 100th career win and longest outing since he went eight innings against the Chicago Cubs on July 11, 2025.

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Rodon also reached 1,500 strikeouts when he set down Jonny DeLuca on a slider in the eighth.

Martinez retired the first nine Yankees hitters of the game before Ben Rice laced a double to right field to lead off the fourth inning and Bellinger hammered the next pitch to the right-field seats for a 2-0 lead.

It was Bellinger’s 17th home run and sixth in his past 26 games.

Bellinger also started a key double play from left field to end the sixth. After Mesa opened the inning with a single, Richie Palacios lofted a fly ball to left with Bellinger making the catch then firing a one-hop throw to first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. to complete the double play.

It was Bellinger’s eighth outfield assist of the season.

David Bednar finished New York’s 15th shutout by retiring Yandy Diaz for his 35th save.

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–Field Level Media

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This story was originally published September 22, 2026 at 3:33 PM.