Only in 2025 do the Yankees end up as the visiting team at their own spring training complex. With the Rays borrowing George M. Steinbrenner Field while Tropicana gets hurricane repairs, Thursday’s series opener had a weird vibe from the jump. But behind a pair of career nights — a 4-for-5 explosion from Ben Rice and a two-hit, one-walk, first-homer-of-the-season showing from Oswaldo Cabrera — the Yanks made it feel like business as usual, rallying from an early deficit to take the opener of the four-game set, 6–3. Aaron Judge also made his presence felt early, gunning down Kameron Misner from center field in the bottom of the first with a textbook throw to cut down a potential run. Note to the league: don’t run on the Cap.
Don't run on Cap 🎯 pic.twitter.com/9tjqqzpZZv
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 17, 2025
Judge Strikes First, but Rays Answer Quickly
In true Aaron Judge fashion, the Captain wasted no time putting New York on the board. After Paul Goldschmidt singled in the top of the first, Judge followed it up with an RBI knock — his latest in what’s becoming a steady stretch. He’s now reached base in 18 of the team’s 19 games and has a hit in 16 of them, including a current six-game hitting streak.
But the early lead didn’t stick. Will Warren and Ryan Yarbrough combined to give up three runs in the bottom of the second, as Warren struggled to find the zone and Yarbrough couldn’t quite clean it up. Suddenly, it was 3–1 Rays.
Oswaldo Delivers, Belli Ties It
Then came Oswaldo Cabrera in the top of the fifth. With one of his best nights of the young season, he went 2-for-3 with a walk and hammered his first homer of the year to pull the Yankees within a run. In the same inning, Cody Bellinger brought it back to even, grounding into a fielder’s choice that scored Goldschmidt — who reached base twice and scored two of the Yankees’ six runs.
Goldy has now hit safely in 13 of 19 games and reached in 14. Steady.
We found Waldo 🔥#RepBX pic.twitter.com/AsOOIrrZkr
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 18, 2025
Not thrice but four times, Benny Rice
While the offense stayed consistent, the spotlight belonged to Ben Rice. The 26-year-old DH had the first four-hit game of his career, going 4-for-5 with three singles, a double, and two huge RBIs. His go-ahead single in the sixth flipped the game, and the Yankees never looked back. Rice has now hit in 13 of his 17 games and reached base in 14. He’s finding his rhythm in a big way.
Welcome to the Rice Age 🍚 pic.twitter.com/8jUVo3VOaM
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 18, 2025
Bullpen Slams the Door led by Tim Hill’s Gem
After Warren’s early exit, and Ryan Yarbrough’s rocky relief, the rest of the Yankees’ bullpen completely took over — and it all started with a statement outing from Tim Hill. The veteran lefty was electric, tossing two shutout innings with two strikeouts, allowing just one hit and zero walks. He slammed the brakes on Tampa Bay’s early momentum, and ended up earning the win.
From there, Ian Hamilton and Devin Williams kept the shutout train rolling. In total, the bullpen sans Yarbrough combined for 4.2 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and striking out five. Williams locked it down in the ninth for his fourth save of the year, but it was Hill’s tone-setting effort that stabilized everything after a faltered start.
Consistent Offense, Consistent Wins
Thursday marked the 15th time in 19 games the Yankees have scored four or more runs — and they’re 12–3 when they do. In fact, they’ve put up four-plus runs in every win this year. That steady offensive output, paired with a bullpen that can hold the line, is becoming this team’s identity.
Looking Ahead
The win moves the Yankees to 12–7 and makes it four straight. Carlos Rodón gets the ball Friday night in Tampa as New York looks to keep the streak alive — and keep proving that even on paper as the visitors, this is still Steinbrenner Field. Still Yankee territory.
