Live-Blogging: 2020 ALDS Game 4 Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees

MLB ALDS Game 4: Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees

Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is Game 4 of American League Division Series, between Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees.

After losing Game 1, Rays have taken advantage of Yankees Skipper Aaron Boone’s roll of the dice in Game 2, to take a 2-1 series lead. The gamble of using an opener in Game 2 backfired on the Bronx Bombers, as J.A. Happ got shelled for 4 earned runs as the featured pitcher. The Rays were able to get to Masahiro Tanaka in Game 3 and is one win away from eliminating one of the hated rivals.

​For the Yankees, they were looking champions in ALWCS vs. Indians and in Game 1. But it appears in the last two games that Rays have figured out how to withstand the constant pressure New York’s Lineup induces.

Tonight’s Opening/Starting Pitching Matchup will be interesting. As Rays will open with reliever, submarine, right-hander Ryan Thompson. While the Yankees will throw left-handed starter Jordan Montgomery. Although Boone will go with Montgomery, you cannot slip it passed the 2003 Yankee Hero to use Montgomery to open and possibly bring in their ace Gerrit Cole afterwards.

It is Tampa Bay Rays taking on New York Yankees, Game 4 of 2020 American Leagues Division Series, coming up shortly.

Starting Lineups:
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

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

Rays are in their alternate navy uniforms. While Yankees are in their traditional pinstripe home white uniforms, with navy caps.

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Diaz
2. Lowe
3. Arozarena
Jordan Montgomery (LHP) now starting as Yankees Pitcher.
​MLB Scores:
First Pitch around 6:11 pm CDT.
Diaz singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
DOUBLE PLAY: Lowe grounds into 3-6 double play. 2 outs.
Arozarena strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Rays side is retired. 

Middle of 1st Inning:
TB 0, NYY 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. LeMahieu
2. Judge
3. Hicks
Ryan Thompson (RHP) now starting as Rays Pitcher.
​LeMahieu hits an infield single to third base. Runner on 1st.
Judge strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Hicks grounds out to Choi. Choi to Thompson. 2 outs.
Ryan Yarbrough (LHP) warming up in Rays Bullpen.
Stanton strikes out on a foul tip caught by Zunino. 3 outs.
Yankees strand a base runner.

End of 1st Inning:
TB 0, NYY 0

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
4. Choi
5. Margot
6. Wendle 
Jordan Montgomery currently at 8 pitches.
​Choi grounds out to Voit. Voit to Montgomery. 1 out.
Margot grounds out to Urshela. 2 outs.
Wendle strikes out on a foul tip caught by Higahshioka. 3 outs.
Rays go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
TB 0, NYY 0

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
5. Voit
6. Gardner
7. Torres
​Thompson currently at 15 pitches.
HOME RUN: Voit hits a solo home run off Ryan Thompson. TB 0, NYY 1
Gardner draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
RAYS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: TB 4, NYY 5
Torres draws a base on balls. Gardner advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Urshela draws a bases loaded walk. 
Higashioka strikes out swinging. 1 out.
RBI-SACRIFICE-FLY: LeMahieu hits an RBI-Sacrifice-Fly to Margot. Gardner scores. 2 outs. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
TB 0, NYY 2
PITCHING CHANGE: Ryan Yarbrough (LHP) replaces Ryan Thompson, as Rays Pitcher.
​Judge grounds out to Wendle. 3 outs.
Yankees get 2 runs, in their half of 2nd Inning.

End of 2nd Inning:
TB 0, NYY 0

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
7. Adames
8. Kiermaier
9. Zunino
Montgomery currently at 20 pitches.
​Adames draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Kiermaier hits a ground-ruled double to left field. Adames advances to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
Zunino strikes out swinging. 1 out.
YANKEES MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: TB 4, NYY 4
Diaz draws a bases loaded walk.
Chad Green (RHP) warming up in Yankees Bullpen.
Lowe hits an RBI-Fielder's Choice. 4-6 on the putout at second base. Adames scores. Kiermaier moves 90 feet. Runners on 1st & 3rd. TB 1, NYY 2
Arozarena grounds out to Urshela. 3 outs.
Rays get a run, but strand a couple of base runners.

Middle of 3rd Inning:
TB 1, NYY 2

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
3. Hicks, 0-1
4. Stanton, 0-1
5. Voit, 1-1, HR, RBI
Yarbrough currently at 3 pitches.
​Hicks hits infield single to shortstop. Runner on 1st.
DOUBLE PLAY: Stanton grounds into 6-4-3 double play. 2 outs.
Voit grounds out to Yarbrough. 3 outs.
Yankees side is retired.

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Choi, 0-1
5. Margot, 0-1
6. Wendle, 0-1
Montgomery currently at 48 pitches.
Choi singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
MLB Scores:
Margot lines out to LeMahieu. 1 out.
Adam Ottavino (RHP) warming up in Yankees Bullpen.
Wendle gets called out on strikes. 2 outs.
Adames draws a base on balls. Choi advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
YANKEES MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: TB 3, NYY 4
Chad Green back up in Yankees Bullpen. Adam Ottavino is back on the Bullpen Bench.
Kiermaier grounds out to Voit, unassisted. 3 outs.
Rays strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 4th Inning:
TB 1, NYY 2

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Gardner, 0-0
7. Torres, 0-0
8. Urshela, 0-0
Yarbrough currently at 12 pitches.
​Gardner singles to left field. Runner on 1st.
Yankees Training Staff looking into Torres, due to the ball hit him on the shin when he hit the ball on a 2-2 count. 
Torres flies out to Kiermaier. 1 out.
Chad Green (RHP) is back warming up for the third time in Yankees Bullpen.
Urshela grounds out to Adames. Gardner advances to 2nd. Runner on 2nd. 2 outs.
Higashioka flies out to Margot. 3 outs.
Yankees strand a base runner.

End of 4th Inning:
TB 1, NYY 2

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Zunino, 0-1
1. Diaz, 1-1
2. Lowe, 0-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Chad Green (RHP) replaces Jordan Montgomery, as Yankees Pitcher.
​Zunino flies out to Hicks. 1 out.
Diaz gets called out on strikes. 2 outs.
Bucs Leading Bears 3-0; 1st Quarter 
Lowe strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Rays go down 1-2-3, in their half of 5th Inning. 

Middle of 5th Inning:
TB 1, NYY 2

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
1. LeMahieu, 1-1, RBI
2. Judge, 0-2
3. Hicks, 1-2
​Yarbrough currently at 30 pitches.
LeMahieu grounds out to Lowe. 1 out.
Judge draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Hicks fouls out to Wendle. 2 outs.
Stanton strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Yankees strand a base runner.

End of 5th Inning:
TB 1, NYY 2

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Arozarena, 0-2
4. Choi, 1-2
5. Margot, 0-2
​Green currently at 16 pitches.
Pete Fairbanks (RHP) warming up in Rays Bullpen.
Arozarena grounds out to Torres. 1 out.
Choi flies out to Hicks. 2 outs.
Margot flies out to Hicks, at the Center Field Warning Track. 3 outs.
Rays go down 1-2-3, in their half of 6th Inning.

Middle of 6th Inning:
TB 1, NYY 2

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Voit, 1-2, HR, RBI
6. Gardner, 1-1
7. Torres, 0-1
Yarbrough currently at 43 pitches.
​Voit flies out to Kiermaier at the Center Field Warning Track. 1 out.
Zack Britton (LHP) warming up in Yankees Bullpen.
Gardner singles to left field. Runner on 1st.
HOME RUN: Gleyber Torres hits a 2-run homer off Ryan Yarbrough. TB 1, NYY 4
​Urshela grounds out to Adames. 2 outs.
Higashioka singles to center field. Runner on 1st.
Aaron Slegers (RHP) warming up in Rays Bullpen.
LeMahieu grounds into 6-4 fielder's choice. Higashioka is out at 2nd. 3 outs.
Yankees get a couple of runs, off the homer by Gleyber Torres.

End of 6th Inning:
TB 1, NYY 4

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Wendle, 0-2
7. Adames, 0-0
8. Kiermaier, 1-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Zack Britton (LHP) replaces Chad Green, as Yankees Pitcher.
​PINCH-HITTING: Mike Brosseau pinch-hitting for Joey Wendle. 
Brosseau strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Adames grounds out to LeMahieu. 2 outs.
PINCH-HITTING: Hunter Renfroe pinch-hitting for Kevin Kiermaier.
Renfroe grounds out to Urshela. 3 outs.
Rays go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.

Middle of 7th Inning:
TB 1, NYY 4

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Judge, 0-2
3. Hicks, 1-3
4. Stanton, 0-3
​MLB Scores:
Yarbrough currently at 58 pitches.
DEFENSIVE SWITCHES: Mike Brosseau stays in the game to play third base. Hunter Renfroe stays in the game to play right field. And Manuel Margot moves from right to center field. 
Judge fouls out to Zunino. 1 out.
Hicks grounds out to Choi, unassisted. 2 outs.
Stanton doubles to left field corner. Runner on 2nd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Aaron Slegers (RHP) replaces Ryan Yarbrough, as Rays Pitcher.
​Voit lines out to Adames. 3 outs.
Yankees strand a base runner, to end their half of 7th Inning. 

End of 7th Inning:
TB 1, NYY 4

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Zunino
1. Diaz
2. Lowe
Britton currently at 14 pitches.
Zunino strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Aroldis Chapman (LHP) warming up in Yankees Bullpen.
Diaz strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
PITCHING CHANGE: Aroldis Chapman (LHP) replaces Zack Britton, as Yankees Pitcher.
​Lowe draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Arozarena strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Rays strand a base runner.

Middle of 8th Inning:
TB 1, NYY 4

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Gardner, 2-2
7. Torres, 1-2, HR, 2 RBI
8. Urshela, 0-2
​Slegers currently at 3 pitches.
Gardner gets called out on strikes. 1 out.
Bears Leading Bucs 14-13; 3rd Quarter 
Torres singles to center field. Runner on 1st.
Urshela flies out to Margot. 2 outs.
STOLEN BASE: With Higashioka at-bat, Torres steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
RBI-SINGLE: Higashioka hits an RBI-Single to left field. Torres scores. TB 1, NYY 5
LeMahieu sinlges to right field. Higashioka advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Jonathon Holder (RHP) warming up in Yankees Bullpen.
Judge reaches on a fielding error by Brosseau. Bases Loaded. 
RAYS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: TB 3, NYY 4
Aaron Loup (LHP) warming up in Rays Bullpen.
Hicks flies out to Renfroe at Right Field Warning Track. 3 outs.
Yankees strand the bases loaded. 

End of 8th Inning:
TB 1, NYY 5

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Choi, 1-3
5. Margot, 0-3
6. Brosseau, 0-1
Chapman currently at 8 pitches.
​Choi fouls out to Higashioka. 1 out.
Margot flies out to Hicks. 2 outs.
Brosseau strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Rays go down 1-2-3, to end Game 4 of ALDS.

Final:
TB 1, NYY 5
Series Tied 2-2. 
W: Green (1-0)
L: Thompson (0-1)
SV: Chapman (1)
PoG: Voit (NYY) 1-4, HR, RBI
ToG: 3:14

Final Thoughts:
Yankees get homers by Luke Voit and Gleyber Torres to force a Game 5, Tomorrow Night. Meanwhile, it wasn't all that bad for Rays. They only used Thompson, Yarbrough, and Slegers. And now everyone is ready to pitch Game 5 for Rays.

No word yet on who will start Game 5, Tomorrow Night. But more than likely the Yankees will throw Gerrit Cole, while it could be Blake Snell for Rays.

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