Luis Gil struck out a career-high nine batters in 5 2/3 innings to earn his first major league win in three years, as the New York Yankees capitalized on Adam Civale's control issues in the fifth inning to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Sunday.
Civale walked three consecutive batters with two outs in the fifth inning, and then allowed a two-run single by Alex Verdugo and RBI singles by Jose Trevino and Oswaldo Cabrera — all in a three-pitch sequence — as New York surged ahead 5-1. The Yankees had struggled with a 3 for 17 record with runners in scoring position before the inning.
Verdugo had three hits as New York (15-7) improved to 6-1 in series this season.
Gil (1-1) allowed an unearned run due to his own throwing error on a pickoff attempt and the first of his two balks. In his 11th big league start, the 25-year-old right-hander allowed two hits and three walks.
His only previous win came with six scoreless innings in his debut against Baltimore on Aug. 3, 2021. He suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament while pitching for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 18, 2022, and underwent Tommy John surgery six days later.
“During that time, you stay positive. You keep your head up, you continue working hard, and you hope it will pay off,” Gil said through a translator.
He returned to the mound with Class A Tampa on Sept. 1 and has a 2.75 ERA in four starts with the Yankees this season. Gil averaged 95.9 mph with his fastball and got 14 swings and misses, including 11 with his fastball.
Amed Rosario extended his hitting streak to 13 games and has a batting average of .351. He hit a two-run double with two outs in the eighth off Dennis Santana and scored on Curtis Mead’s single.
“I try not to dwell on it. I try to focus on having fun,” Rosario said through a translator.
Victor González secured his second save, making a remarkable play for the final out with a runner on base. González swiftly moved his glove behind his back to deflect a comebacker hit by pinch-hitter Harold Ramírez, which bounced toward first base. The pitcher dashed for the ball, scooped it, and while falling, made an underhand flip to first baseman Anthony Rizzo, then celebrated by pounding his glove on the grass.
“That’s something I rarely do,” González said through a translator, “but today it was a reflex.”
Civale (2-2) walked a career-high five batters while allowing five runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Tampa Bay has been alternating wins and losses over its last 10 games.
“Obviously, three straight walks is never a good thing,” Civale said.
Rizzo hit an RBI single following a pair of walks in the first, but the Rays tied the score in the third when José Caballero doubled past the glove of Cabrera at third, advanced when Gil threw a pickoff attempt into center field, and came home on a balk.
New York’s 2-0, 10-inning loss Saturday was its first shutout loss in extra innings at home since July 7, 2001.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays: OF Jose Siri had a kidney stone and didn’t play. Siri said he went to a hospital and intended to fly home with the team.
Yankees: 3B DJ LeMahieu may begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday. He has been out of play since fracturing his right foot on a foul ball during a spring training game on March 16. … RHP Tommy Kahnle (shoulder) is likely to progress to batting practice after one more bullpen session, as per manager Aaron Boone.
UP NEXT
Rays: RHP Zack Littell (1-0, 2.14 ERA) will start against Detroit and LHP Tarik Skubal (2-0, 2.28) in the beginning of a three-game homestand.
Yankees: LHP Carlos Rodón (1-1, 3.66 ERA) will pitch in Monday afternoon’s series opener against Oakland and former Yankees LHP JP Sears (1-1, 4.35).
