NEW YORK � For the first time in 2020, a quiet atmosphere prevailed at empty Yankee Stadium.
At key times, the Yankees' lineup went silent against Tampa Bay Rays pitching Tuesday night. And any hard feelings that might have lingered from their last series remained under the surface.
But here were the Rays again, by their play, announcing themselves as a keen threat to the Yankees' October hopes.
Masahiro Tanaka was not sharp and Rays starter Blake Snell was good enough in Tampa Bay's 6-3 victory at Yankee Stadium.
Four scoreless innings by the Rays' bullpen not only ended the Yankees' six-game winning streak but pierced their perfect record at home; the Yanks had started 10-0 this year at the Stadium.
That's four wins by the Rays in five games against the Yankees (16-7) since Aug. 7, with Tampa Bay (15-9) pulling within a game-and-a-half of the AL East leaders.
