Comment on Yankees 4, Rays 1: By Starting a Reliever, the Yankees Imitate and Eliminate the Rays

With James Paxton injured, the Yankees employed a so-called opener to start the game. The strategy paid off thanks to a seven-run explosion in the sixth inning.

Despite 17 players spending time on the injured list this year, the Yankees have kept pace in the A. L. East with smart moves rather than splashy ones.

The left-hander taught himself a trick to achieve devastating action on his cutter, which has fooled batters all season.

In an era of baseball’s richest teams dominating smaller-market clubs, Tampa Bay has managed a third way: spending less and winning more through ceaseless innovation.

The 22-year-old Torres joined Joe DiMaggio as the only Yankees under 23 years old with three homers in a day.

17 strikeouts in seven innings, but in the end, disappointment in Boston.