Live-Blogging: 2020 ALDS Game 1 New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays

MLB: New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Game 1

Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is Game 1 of American League Division Series, between New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.

Yankees come in as the AL East Runner-Up and is considered one of the favorites to go to the World Series because of their lineup and their bullpen. There are times when they look like world-beaters. However, they have a kryptonite in the form of Tampa Bay Rays.

Rays were able to win AL East due to their dominance of Yankees in regular season. Rays have won 8 of the 10 games against Yankees.

Even the pitching matchup for Game 1 will be a dandy as the Yankees will throw Gerrit Cole. While left-hander Blake Snell will throw for Rays.

It is New York Yankees taking on Tampa Bay Rays, Game 1 of American League Division Series coming up shortly.

Starting Lineups:
New York Yankees:
1. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
2. Aaron Judge, RF
3. Aaron Hicks, CF
4. Luke Voit, 1B
5. Giancarlo Stanton, DH
6. Gio Urshela, 3B
7. Gleyber Torres, SS
8. Clint Frazier, LF
9. Kyle Higashioka, C

Tampa Bay Rays:
1. Yandy Diaz, DH
2. Brandon Lowe, 2B
3. Randy Arozarena, LF
4. Ji Man Choi, 1B
5. Manuel Margot, RF
6. Joey Wendle, 3B
7. Willy Adames, SS
8. Kevin Kiermaier, CF
9. Mike Zunino, C

Yankees are in their gray uniforms. While Rays are in their alternate navy uniforms.

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. LeMahieu
2. Judge
3. Hicks
Blake Snell (LHP) now starting as Rays Pitcher.
​Earlier Today, Astros Defeated A's 10-5 
First Pitch at 7:09 pm CDT.
LeMahieu's 9-pitch at-bat ends with a single to center field. Runner on 1st.
With Judge at-bat, LeMahieu advances to 2nd, on a wild pitch by Snell. Runner on 2nd.
Judge grounds out to Snell. LeMahieu advances to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 
RBI-SACRIFICE-FLY: Hicks hits an RBI-Sacrifice-Fly to Kiermaier. LeMahieu scores. 2 outs. NYY 1, TB 0
Voit grounds out to Wendle. 3 outs.
Yankees get a run, in their half of 1st Inning.

Middle of 1st Inning:
NYY 1, TB 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Diaz
2. Lowe
3. Arazarena
Gerrit Cole (RHP) now starting as Yankees Pitcher.
​Diaz grounds out to Torres. 1 out.
Lowe strikes out on a foul tip by Higashioka. 2 outs.
HOME RUN: Randy Arozarena hits a solo home run off Gerrit Cole. NYY 1, TB 1
Choi pops out to Urshela. 3 outs.
Rays get a run, off the homer by Arozarena. 

End of 1st Inning:
NYY 1, TB 1

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
5. Stanton
6. Urshela
7. Torres
Snell currently at 20 pitches.
Stanton grounds out to Snell. 1 out.
Chiefs Leading Patriots 6-3; 3rd Quarter Underway 
Urshela fouls out to Margot. 2 outs.
Torres gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Yankees go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
NYY 1, TB 1

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
5. Margot
6. Wendle
7. Adames
Cole currently at 15 pitches.
Margot grounds out to Urshela. 1 out.​
Wendle grounds out to Urshela. 2 outs.
Adames hits an infield single. Runner on 1st.
Kiermaier flies out to Frazier. 3 outs.
Rays strand a base runner.

End of 2nd Inning:
NYY 1, TB 1

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
8. Frazier
9. Higashioka
1. LeMahieu, 1-1
Snell currently at 35 pitches.
​HOME RUN: Clint Frazier hits a solo home run off Blake Snell. NYY 2, TB 1
​Higashioka grounds out to Wendle. 1 out.
LeMahieu lines out to Margot. 2 outs.
Judge grounds out to Choi, unassisted. 3 outs.
Yankees get a run, off a homer by Clint Frazier. 

Middle of 3rd Inning:
NYY 2, TB 1

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
9. Zunino
1. Diaz, 0-1
2. Lowe, 0-1
Cole currently at 25 pitches.
​Zunino strikes out swinging. Higashioka had to throw out Zunino at first. 1 out.
Diaz grounds out to Torres. 2 outs.
Lowe strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Rays go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.

End of 3rd Inning:
NYY 2, TB 1

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Hicks, 0-0, RBI
4. Voit, 0-1
5. Stanton, 0-1
Snell currently at 43 pitches.
​Hicks singles to left center field. Runner on 1st.
4th Quarter Underway in KC; Chiefs Leading Patriots 13-3 
Voit strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Stanton draws a base on balls. Hicks advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
RAYS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: NYY 5, TB 4
Urshela grounds out to Snell. 2 outs.
Torres draws a base on balls. Bases Loaded.
Snell has the bases loaded for Clint Frazier, who hit a solo home run last inning.
Frazier strikes out on a foul tip caught by Zunino. 3 outs.
Yankees strand bases loaded.

Middle of 4th Inning:
NYY 2, TB 1

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Arozarena, 1-1, HR, RBI 
4. Choi, 0-1
5. Margot, 0-1
Cole currently at 43 pitches.
​Arozarena singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
HOME RUN: Ji-Man Choi hits a 2-run homer off Gerrit Cole. NYY 2, TB 3
​Margot lines out to Judge. 1 out.
Margot singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
Adames strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Kiermaier grounds out to Voit. Voit to Cole. 3 outs.
Rays get a pair of runs, from the homer by Ji-Man Choi.

End of 4th Inning:
NYY 2, TB 3

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Higashioka, 0-1
1. LeMahieu, 1-2
2. Judge, 0-2
Snell currently at 68 pitches.
​Diego Castillo (RHP) warming up in Rays Bullpen.
HOME RUN: Kyle Higashioka hits a solo home run off Blake Snell. NYY 3, TB 3
​LeMahieu grounds out to Adames. 1 out.
HOME RUN: Aaron Judge hits a solo home run off Blake Snell. NYY 4, TB 3
Hicks grounds out to Wendle. 2 outs.
Voit doubles to right center field. Runner on 2nd.
Packers Leading Falcons 7-0; 2nd Quarter 
Stanton gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Yankees get a pair of homers by Higashioka and Judge. 

Middle of 5th Inning:
NYY 4, TB 3

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Zunino, 0-1
1. Diaz, 0-2
2. Lowe, 0-2
Cole currently at 63 pitches.
​Ryan Thompson (RHP) warming up in Rays Bullpen.
Zunino strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Diaz grounds out to Urshela. 2 outs.
Lowe draws a 2-out walk. Runner on 1st.
​Arozarena singles to right field. Lowe advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
YANKEES MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: NYY 4, TB 4
Yankees elect to intentionally pass Choi. Bases Loaded.
Margot strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Rays strand the bases loaded.

End of 5th Inning:
NYY 4, TB 3

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Urshela, 0-2
7. Torres, 0-1
8. Frazier, 1-2, HR, RBI
​PITCHING CHANGE: Ryan Thompson (RHP) replaces Blake Snell, as Rays Pitcher.
Urshela singles to right center field. Runner on 1st.
DOUBLE PLAY: Torres grounds into 3-4-3 double play. 2 outs.
PINCH-HITTING: Clint Frazier pinch-hitting for Clint Frazier. 
Gardner gets hit by a pitch. Runner on 1st.
Higashioka grounds out to Adames. 3 outs.
Yankees strand a base runner.

Middle of 6th Inning:
NYY 4, TB 3

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Wendle,1-2
7. Adames, 1-2
8. Kiermaier, 0-2
​Cole currently at 82 pitches.
DEFENSIVE SWITCH: Brett Gardner stays in the game to play left field. 
Wendle flies out to Hicks. 1 out.
Adames strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Kiermaier strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Rays go down 1-2-3, in their half of 6th Inning.

End of 6th Inning:
NYY 4, TB 3

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
1. LeMahieu, 1-3
2. Judge, 1-3, HR, RBI
3. Hicks, 1-2, RBI
​Thompson currently at 8 pitches.
Chad Green (RHP) warming up in Yankees Bullpen.
LeMahieu singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
DOUBLE PLAY: Judge grounds into 1-4-3 double play. 2 outs.
Hicks with a 2-out single to right field. Runner on 1st.
RAYS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: NYY 4, TB 3
Voit flies out to Arozarena. 3 outs.
Yankees strand a base runner.

Middle of 7th Inning:
NYY 4, TB 3

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Zunino, 0-2
1. Diaz, 0-3
2. Lowe, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Chad Green (RHP) replaces Gerrit Cole, as Yankees Pitcher.
​PINCH-HITTING: Austin Meadows pinch-hitting Mike Zunino.
Meadows strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Diaz grounds out to Urshela. 2 outs.
Halftime in Green Bay, Packers Leading Falcons 20-3 
Zack Britton (LHP) warming up in Yankees Bullpen.
Anderson and Drake (Both RHP) warming up in Rays Bullpen.
Lowe draws a 2-out walk. Runner on 1st.
YANKEES MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: NYY 3, TB 3
Arozarena lines out to Torres. 3 outs.
Rays strand a base runner. 

End of 7th Inning:
NYY 4, TB 3

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Stanton, 0-2
6. Urshela, 1-3
7. Torres, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Oliver Drake (RHP) replaces Ryan Thompson, as Rays Pitcher.
​DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Michael Perez replaces Austin Meadows at catcher.
Stanton flies out to Magot. 1 out.
Urshela singles to left center field. Runner on 1st.
Torres flies out to Kiermaier. 2 outs.
Gardner strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Yankees strand a base runner.

Middle of 8th Inning:
NYY 4, TB 3

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Choi, 1-2, HR, 2 RBI
5. Margot, 0-3
6. Wendle, 1-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Zack Britton (LHP) replaces Chad Green, as Yankees Pitcher.
​DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Tyler Wade replaces Luke Voit at second base. 
DEFENSIVE SWITCH: DJ LeMahieu moves from second to first base. 
Choi grounds out to Wade. 1 out.
Magot draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
PINCH-HITTING: Mike Brossaud pinch-hitting for Joey Wendle. 
Aroldis Chapman (LHP) warming up in Yankees Bullpen.
Curtiss and Anderson (Both RHP) warming up in Rays Bullpen.
Brossaud grounds into 4-6 fielder's choice. Magot is out at 2nd. Runner on 1st. 2 outs.
Adames strikes out swinging. 3 outs. 
Rays strand a base runner.

End of 8th Inning:
NYY 4, TB 3

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Higashioka, 1-3, HR, RBI
1. LeMahieu, 2-4
2. Judge, 1-4, HR, RBI
​John Curtiss (RHP) replaces Oliver Drake, as Yankees Pitcher.
Higashioka singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
LeMahieu draws a base on balls. Higashioka advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
RAYS MOUND VISIT #3: MVR: NYY 3, TB 2
Judge gets called out on strikes. 1 out.
RBI-SINGLE: Hicks hits an RBI-Single to right center field. Higashioka scores. NYY 5, TB 3
Wade draws a bases loaded walk. 
GRAND SLAM: Stanton hits a grand slam off John Curtiss. LeMahieu, Hicks, Wade score. NYY 9, TB 3
​Urshela pops out to Adames. 2 outs.
Torres singles to left center field. Runner on 1st.
PITCHING CHANGE: Shane McClanahan (LHP) replaces John Curtiss, as Rays Pitcher. McClanahan will make his MLB debut. Runner on 1st. NYY 9, TB 3
STOLEN BASE: With Gardner at-bat, Torres steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
Gardner hits an infield single. Torres advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Higashioka draws a bases loaded walk. 
LeMahieu grounds out to McClanahan. 3 outs.
Yankees get 5 runs, highlighted by grand slam Giancarlo Stanton.

Middle of 9th Inning:
NYY 9, TB 3

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Kiermaier, 0-3
9. Perez, 0-0
1. Diaz, 0-4
PITCHING CHANGE: Luis Cessa (RHP) replaces Zack Britton, as Yankees Pitcher.
​Kiermaier grounds out to Torres. 1 out.
Perez flies out to Hicks. 2 outs.
Diaz draws a 2-out walk. Runner on 1st.
Lowe strikes out swinging. 3 outs.

Final:
NYY 9, TB 3
NYY Leads ALDS 1-0.
W: Cole (1-0)
L: Snell (0-1)
PoG: Hicks (NYY) 3-4, 2 RBI
ToG: 3:39

Final Thoughts:
Although the home runs were the story of the game, including Stanton's grand slam. It was Aaron Hicks 2 RBIs not from the home run that were the difference in Game 1. After the 4-3 lead, it was all Cole from there. Cole had a quality start, gave up 3 earned runs, 6 hits, 8 K, and 2 BB. 

For the Rays, it looked promising as they were trading homers with Yankees. But their inability to drive in runs other than the home run and John Curtiss' terrible 9th Inning. And now Rays are down 0-1 in ALDS with Yankees. 

Deivi Garcia (RHP) will start for Yankees in Game 2. He will be countered with Tyler Glasnow by the Rays. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Jr. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this page.