Snell helps Rays complete sweep, 5-3 over Yankees

Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner was expected to be at game that saw scouts from many playoff contenders in attendance for the start of a three-game series with Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline looming that could help determine if NY might join Tampa Bay as potential sellers. If there was a bright spot for the Yankees, it was Carlos Beltran’s two-run homer in the fourth, but that was only because it raised the value of their biggest remaining asset before Monday’s 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline.

Asked if the trade deadline – and the thin line between seller and buyer – changes his approach to these games, Yankees manager Joe Girardi was adamant his focus is unchanged on putting his team in position to win games. “We’ve been inconsistent all season long”. Others teams scouting the series include Baltimore, the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Texas, Toronto and Washington. “I know we don’t have the wins to support that, but we’re playing tighter ballgames, our pitching has been tremendous and the timely hits, hopefully they continue to come”.

“We didn’t play good enough”, catcher Brian McCann said in a quiet voice.

“I’m focusing on winning games here”, said McCann, who added that he has not been approached about waiving his no-trade provision. The 41-year-old designated hitter has two hits in his last 26 at-bats, dropping his season average to.206. “I swung at balls and took strikes”. “And it was a struggle for him tonight”.

Rookie left-hander Blake Snell struck out nine over 5 1/3 innings, Luke Maile had a key two-run single and the Rays completed a three-game sweep by beating the Yankees 5-3 on Sunday. Tampa Bay is 7-5 since losing 24 of 27.

“It feels good to get back on a nice little run here”, Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

Maile made it 5-2 in the sixth with a bases-loaded, two-run single after Michael Pineda (5-10) issued a two-out intentional walk to Nick Franklin.

Third baseman Chase Headley had endured similar circumstances when he was with the San Diego Padres, but it was a far cry from his expectations when he joined the Yankees.

Eovaldi went six innings giving up three runs on six hits while striking out four.

Yankees: RHP Bryan Mitchell, out since the end of spring training with a left toe injury, will throw in a simulated game Saturday. Mitchell had a rain-shortened 21-pitch simulated game and said he feels great and “absolutely” expects to pitch in the majors this season.