Pro Sports

Smyly stops 11-start winless streak, Rays top Yankees 6-3

Posted July 30, 2016 7:00 am

By MARK DIDTLER

Tampa Bay Rays' Tim Beckham, right, celebrates with Curt Casali after his two-run home run off New York Yankees relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 30, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Drew Smyly struck out Alex Rodriguez three times en route to stopping an 11-start winless streak, and the Tampa Bay Rays sent the New York Yankees to their third straight loss, 6-3 Saturday night.

New York had won eight of 10 before the skid. Having already traded closer Aroldis Chapman, the Yankees could deal right fielder Carlos Beltran, pitcher Ivan Nova, reliever Andrew Miller or others before Monday's deadline to make trades without waivers.

San Francisco and the Chicago White Sox both had two scouts at the game. Others teams scouting the series include Baltimore, the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Texas, Toronto and Washington.

Rodriguez, out of the starting lineup the previous six games, struck out in all four of his at-bats. The 41-year-old designated hitter has two hits in last 26 at-bats, dropping his season average to .206.

Smyly (3-11) gave up two runs and four hits in six innings, and Alex Colome worked the ninth to get his 24th save. Tampa Bay is 7-5 since losing 24 of 27.

Brad Miller hit a solo homer in the first, and Curt Casali had a two-run drive during the third. Tim Beckman made it 6-2 on a two-run shot in the seventh off Anthony Swarzak.

Brett Gardner and Chase Headley homered for the Yankees. Nathan Eovaldi (9-7) allowed three runs and three hits in six innings.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Yankees: RHP Bryan Mitchell could start a minor league rehab assignment in the next week, four months after surgery to repair a toe tear on his left foot. Mitchell had a rain-shortened 21-pitch simulated game and said he feels great and "absolutely" expects to pitch in the majors this season. ... LHP Jacob Lindgren, out since late April with a left elbow injury, also pitched a simulated game.

Rays: RHP Chase Whitley (Tommy John surgery) made his third rehab start, striking out five over three hitless innings for Double-A Montgomery.

UP NEXT

Yankees RHP Michael Pineda (5-9) will face Rays rookie LHP Blake Snell (2-4) Sunday. Pineda has won his last two starts.

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Tim Beckham (1) and center fielder Kevin Kiermaier celebrate after the Rays defeated the New York Yankees 6-3 during a baseball game Saturday, July 30, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Rays' Tim Beckham celebrates with teammates in the dugout after his two-run home run off New York Yankees relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 30, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Rays' Steven Souza Jr. also scored. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe forces New York Yankees' Chase Headley (12) at second base and relays the throw to first base in time to turn double play on Austin Romine during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 30, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Curt Casali (19) tags New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez after Rodriguez struck out swinging against Drew Smyly during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 30, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press

New York Yankees' Brett Gardner, right, shakes hands with third base coach Joe Espada after his two-run home run off Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Smyly during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 30, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Smyly delves to the New York Yankees during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 30, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) The Associated Press

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