Yankees Edge Rays In Extra-Innings Thriller To Open Season

Yankees Edge Rays In Extra-Innings Thriller To Open Season...

The New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 in 11 innings Friday night in a dramatic season opener at Tropicana Field. Aaron Judge's go-ahead RBI single in the top of the 11th proved the difference as both AL East rivals showcased playoff-caliber baseball from opening pitch.

The game is trending nationally as it featured multiple lead changes, controversial umpire calls, and a benches-clearing incident in the 7th inning after Rays pitcher Pete Fairbanks threw behind Judge. Home plate umpire Lance Barksdale ejected Fairbanks and Rays manager Kevin Cash, sparking heated arguments.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole struck out 10 over 6 innings but surrendered a 3-run homer to Tampa's Randy Arozarena in the 5th. The Rays bullpen held New York scoreless until the 9th when Anthony Rizzo's bloop single tied the game 4-4.

According to MLB Network, this was the first opening day extra-innings game between the Yankees and Rays since 2005. The rivalry intensity carried over from last season's contentious matchups, with both teams projected as World Series contenders.

Social media erupted during the game, particularly after Judge's game-winning hit. The Yankees-Rays hashtag trended #1 on Twitter for over three hours Friday night. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters the league will review the Fairbanks incident for potential discipline.

The teams continue their series Saturday afternoon at 4:10 PM ET with Nestor Cortes scheduled to start for New York against Tampa's Zach Eflin. Friday's thriller drew 32,112 fans - Tropicana Field's largest opening day crowd since 2019.