Isaac Paredes launched a three-run homer to highlight a four-run first inning and the Tampa Bay Rays held on for a 5-3 win against the New York Yankees in the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Amed Rosario had two hits and scored a run for the Rays, who ended a three-game skid.
Tampa Bay right-hander Ryan Pepiot (5-5) allowed one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked three on a career-high 101 pitches.
Jason Adam protected a one-run lead in the eighth before Pete Fairbanks tossed a scoreless ninth for his 15th save.
Ben Rice homered for the Yankees, who lost for the sixth time in seven games.
Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (9-7) dropped his fifth consecutive outing. The two-time All Star got off to a rough start before recovering to complete four innings. He allowed four runs and five hits, striking out five and walking two on 95 pitches.
The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in their half of the first. Gleyber Torres hit a two-out RBI single that fell just in front of left fielder Randy Arozarena, scoring Juan Soto from third.
The Rays quickly answered. Yandy Diaz singled to lead off the bottom of the first. Arozarena followed with a grounder down the third base line that left fielder Alex Verdugo bobbled in the corner, allowing Diaz to continue home for a 1-1 tie.
Rodon then gave up his second straight two-strike hit to Rosario, leaving runners on the corners. Paredes hen lined a three-run homer over the fence in left, putting the Yankees in a 4-1 hole before Rodon had recorded an out.
In the seventh inning, Colin Poche came out of the Tampa Bay bullpen to face Rice with one out and a runner on first. Rice hit the second pitch deep over the fence in right to cut the deficit to 4-3. It was the rookie’s fifth homer.
The Rays tacked on an insurance run in the eighth. Jonny DeLuca hit a two-out opposite-field double down the right field line, scoring Jose Siri from first to make it 5-3.