NEW YORK (AP) — Chris Young doubled with one out in the eighth inning for the New York Yankees’ first hit off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Alex Cobb on Thursday night.
Young sent a hard-hit drive to deep right-center field that landed in the alley and rolled toward the wall. With his no-hit bid over, Cobb was immediately lifted by manager Joe Maddon after 102 pitches.
Pinch-hitter Martin Prado then connected for a two-run homer off Brad Boxberger, cutting Tampa Bay’s lead to 4-2.
Cobb was in complete control until he walked consecutive batters with one out in the seventh. But he quickly regrouped, striking out Chase Headley on a check-swing and retiring Ichiro Suzuki on a foul pop.
Before that, the only runner allowed by Cobb came on an error by center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, a defensive standout who dropped Stephen Drew’s long fly to left-center leading off the third.
Yunel Escobar homered twice for the Rays, including a three-run shot.
Cobb struck out four and hasn’t yielded more than two runs in any of his past 12 starts, a club record.
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