Yankees promote prospects Aaron Judge, Tyler Austin

Judge’s home run, estimated at 457 feet long, was also the longest by a Yankee at home since Alex Rodriguez’ 460-foot bomb in June 2011.

“He can throw three or four different pitches in there at any time, so you got to be ready when a good one comes in”, Miller said.

The Rays are 2-6 in their last eight Sunday games, and 3-7 in Odorizzi’s last 10 starts. And, while it is also true that the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros are ahead of them in the race for the second American League Wild Card (Yankees now sit 3.5 GB of Boston), the NY Yankees are still very much in the thick of yet another play off race. The Yankees officially released Rodriguez on Saturday afternoon, ending his 12 years in pinstripes and perhaps his big league career after 22 seasons. As noted, the day after Alex Rodriguez played his final game with the Yankees, the team called up two of their top prospects, Tyler Austin and Aaron Judge. Although Austin has spent a majority of his minor league days in right field, he will get the start at first base, as he’s had experience there.

Brad Miller homered twice for Tampa Bay, a three-run drive and a solo shot off Masahiro Tanaka (9-4). Through 57 games this season, Austin is hitting.323/.415/.637 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI.

Evan Longoria also had two hits but the rest of the Rays had four hits and struck out nine times on Saturday. If he wasn’t playing baseball, it looks like he should be a defensive end somewhere. “It seems like we are running out of steam a little bit towards the back half of our lineup”. A year ago, Severino was two starts into a promising two-month debut but this season has been a struggle on the major league level. NY is also 1-10 in Severino’s last 11 starts on grass, and 0-9 in Severino’s last nine starts. RHP Jake Odorizzi (6-5) opens for the Rays.

The right-hander is 4-5 with a 4.23 ERA in 11 career appearances against the Yankees. “This guy’s gotta be in NY for a game tomorrow, ‘” Judge said. Judge notched his second hit with a single, Jacoby Ellsbury singled, and Aaron Hicks crushed a three run homer into the second deck in right to make it 6-3.