Yankees Rally Past Rays 6-4 Behind George Lombard Jr.’s Heroics

George Lombard Jr. Sparks Yankees Comeback

The New York Yankees overcame a four run deficit Thursday night, rallying for a 6-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays behind an incredible performance from rookie George Lombard Jr. Lombard delivered three RBI, scored on an extraordinary feet first slide in the eighth inning and then launched the go ahead two run homer that put the Yankees ahead for good. New York improved to 92-67 with the comeback victory, while Tampa Bay fell to 96-63 after already clinching the American League East on Tuesday.

Yankees Overcome Early Deficit

The Rays built a 4-0 lead, with Junior Caminero driving in two runs to bring his season RBI total to 99. Tampa Bay also benefited from a pair of unearned runs, with errors by right fielder Heliot Ramos and reliever Luis Gil contributing to the Yankees’ early deficit.

New York began its comeback in the sixth inning when Austin Wells hit a home run off Rays starter Jake Woodford. Lombard then cut the deficit to 4-2 with an RBI double during a three run seventh inning. Paul Goldschmidt followed with a game tying single, bringing the Yankees all the way back after they had been held scoreless through the first five innings.

Lombard’s Incredible Slide

The most spectacular play of the night came in the eighth inning. Lombard took third base on a wild pitch from Brady Hopkins and raced home when another pitch bounced away to the backstop. As the ball caromed back toward catcher Liam Hicks, Lombard appeared to be in a difficult position to score.

Instead, the rookie made an incredible athletic play. Lombard popped up well in front of the plate during his feet first slide, jumped over Hicks while twisting his body in fair territory and reached down to slap his right hand onto home plate. The remarkable effort gave the Yankees their first lead of the night. Moments later, Lombard added even more insurance.

Rookie Delivers Go-Ahead Homer

Lombard drove a sinker from Steven Matz into the second deck in left field for his seventh home run of the season and fourth homer in his last seven games. The rookie briefly watched the ball sail into the seats before beginning his home run trot, capping a remarkable night for a player who made his major league debut on Aug. 4. Lombard finished with three RBI and played a central role in New York’s four-run comeback.

Schlitter Finishes Historic Season

Cam Schlitter also put the finishing touches on an outstanding rookie season, making his final start before the Yankees open the American League Wild Card Series next week. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed two runs, only one earned, over three innings. Schlitter finished the season 14-6 with 239 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings and an American League-best 1.95 ERA.

According to the Yankees, Schlitter’s ERA ranks as the third-lowest in franchise history among qualified pitchers. Only Spud Chandler’s 1.64 ERA in 1943 and Ron Guidry’s 1.74 ERA in 1978 were lower. Bradley Hanner earned his first major league victory after retiring Caminero with a runner on base to end the eighth inning and then stranding another runner in the ninth.

Finally Series of the Season

The Rays begin a three-game series in Philadelphia on Friday night, with right-hander Freddy Peralta (9-11, 4.56 ERA) scheduled to face Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez (18-6, 2.92 ERA).

The Yankees will play a single-admission doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. Rookie right-hander Brendan Beck (0-1, 8.22 ERA) is scheduled to face Baltimore left-hander Trevor Rogers (10-11, 4.07 ERA) in the opener. New York had not announced its starter against right-hander Brandon Young (9-5, 3.62 ERA) for the second game.

For the Yankees, Thursday’s comeback provided another memorable moment from Lombard while Schlitter closed the regular season with one of the most impressive pitching seasons in the American League.