Luis Gil gets 1st big league win in 3 years, pitches Yankees over Rays 5-4

NEW YORK (AP) — Luis Gil struck out a career-high nine over 5 2/3 innings for his first major league win in three years, and the New York Yankees took advantage of Adam Civale’s control problems in a four-run fifth to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Sunday.

Civale walked three straight batters with two outs in the fifth, then gave up Alex Verdugo’s two-run single and RBI singles by Jose Trevino and Oswaldo Cabrera — all in a three-pitch span — as New York spurted ahead 5-1. The Yankees had been 3 for 17 with runners in scoring position heading into the inning.

Verdugo had three hits as New York (15-7) improved to 6-1 in series this season.

Gil (1-1) allowed an unearned run caused by his own throwing error on a pickoff try and the first of his two balks. Making his 11th big league start, the 25-year-old right-hander gave up two hits and three walks.

His only previous win was with six shutout innings in his debut against Baltimore on Aug. 3, 2021. He tore his ulnar collateral ligament while pitching for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 18, 2022, and had Tommy John surgery six days later.

“Throughout that time, you stay positive. You keep your head up, you keep doing all the work and you're looking for it to pay off," Gil said through a translator.

He returned to the mound with Class A Tampa last Sept. 1 and has a 2.75 ERA in four starts with the Yankees this season. Gil averaged 95.9 mph with his fastball and got 14 swings and misses, including 11 with his heater.

Amed Rosario extended his hitting streak to 13 games and is batting .351. He had a two-run double with two outs in the eighth off Dennis Santana and scored on Curtis Mead’s single.

“Try not to think about it. Try to keep my mind on just having some fun,” Rosario said through a translator.

Victor González got three outs for his second save, making a dramatic play for the final out with a runner on. González swept his glove behind his back to deflect pinch-hitter Harold Ramírez's comebacker, which bounced toward first. The pitcher sprinted for the ball, scooped it and while falling made an underhand flip to first baseman Anthony Rizzo, then pounded his glove on the grass in excitement.

“That's something that usually I never do,” González said through a translator, “but today it was a reaction.”

Civale (2-2) walked a career-high five while giving up five runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Tampa Bay has alternated wins and losses over its last 10 games.

“Obviously, three straight walks is never a good thing," Civale said.

Rizzo hit an RBI single following a pair of walks in the first, but the Rays tied the score in the third when José Caballero doubled past the glove of Cabrera at third, advanced when Gil threw a pickoff attempt into center field and came home on a balk.

New York’s 2-0, 10-inning loss Saturday was its first shutout defeat in extra innings at home since July 7, 2001.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rays: OF Jose Siri had a kidney stone and didn't play. Siri said he went to a hospital and intended to fly home with the team.

Yankees: 3B DJ LeMahieu could start a rehab assignment Tuesday. He has been sidelined since breaking his right foot on a foul ball during a spring training game on March 16. ... RHP Tommy Kahnle (shoulder) probably will advance to batting practice after one more bullpen session, according to manager Aaron Boone.

UP NEXT

Rays: RHP Zack Littell (1-0, 2.14 ERA) starts vs. Detroit and LHP Tarik Skubal (2-0, 2.28) in the opener of a three-game homestand.

Yankees: LHP Carlos Rodón (1-1, 3.66 ERA) starts Monday afternoon’s series opener against Oakland and former Yankees LHP JP Sears (1-1, 4.35).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

From left to right, New York Yankees' Gleyber Torres, Oswaldo Cabrera, Anthony Volpe and Anthony Rizzo celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees pitcher Victor González reacts after throwing out Tampa Bay Rays' Harold Ramírez to end the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees pitcher Victor González reacts after throwing out Tampa Bay Rays' Harold Ramírez to end the ninth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Tampa Bay Rays' José Caballero, left, high-fives Isaac Paredes after scoring on a balk during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees' Alex Verdugo, left, comes around to score past Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Aaron Civale (34) during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees' Alex Verdugo reacts after hitting a two run-scoring single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees' Jose Trevino reacts after hitting a run-scoring single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees' Alex Verdugo, right, reacts with Jahmai Jones, left, after scoring during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil is called for a balk against Tampa Bay Rays' José Caballero during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil reacts after being called for a balk during the third inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil walks off the field during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Taylor Pendrith shot a 7-under 64 on Friday to take a two-stroke lead over Matt NeSmith into the weekend in the 3M Open.

Playing in windier afternoon conditions, Pendrith made a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-4 16th and tapped in for another birdie on the par-5 18th. He had a 12-under 130 total at the TPC Twin Cities, playing the first 36 holes without a bogey.

The 33-year-old Canadian won the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May in Texas for his first PGA Tour title. He tied for fifth last week in the Barracuda Championship in California.

“Today was pretty tricky with the wind, it was blowing pretty hard at times, so my speed was great all day and stayed really patient," Pendrith said. “I didn’t really have many good looks through the first hour I would say of golf and was able to stay patient and make a couple, made a couple longer ones, which was nice.”

NeSmith had a 64 in the morning before wind gusts topping 20 mph hit the course in the afternoon and early evening.

Seeking his first PGA Tour victory, NeSmith lost in a playoff two weeks ago at the ISCO Championship in Kentucky, his lone top-10 finish in 20 prior starts this season. He has missed 11 cuts.

“Patience is key out here whether it be to win golf tournaments, to make cuts, to try and keep your card to try and get in the top 30,” NeSmith said. “I think it pertains to each and every person out here. You never know when you’re going to get hot, you never know when good golf’s coming. Just kind of try and be patient, try and keep calmer heads and you never know what will happen.”

First-round leader Jacob Bridgeman had a 70 to drop three strokes back at 9 under with Andrew Putnam (66). Doug Ghim (64), Lanto Griffin (66), Alex Smalley (65) and Jhonattan Vegas (66) were 8 under.

“I felt like anything under par today was pretty good, especially in the afternoon,” said Bridgeman, one of the last players to tee off Friday. “The wind was blowing really hard in the beginning of the round, caught a little bit of a lull at the end, which was nice. But greens were kind of bumpy from all the traffic. … I stayed patient all day, didn’t really have a whole lot of great chances.”

The event is the second-to-last tournament before the FedEx Cup playoffs begin, with some players near the 70-player cutoff failing to advance to the weekend. Nick Dunlap (64th in the standings), Luke List (71st) and defending champion Lee Hodges (73rd) missed the cut.

Jacob Bridgeman walks on the 10th tee during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Stewart Cink watches his tee shot on the 10th hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Kurt Kitayama watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Lanto Griffin watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Andrew Putnam watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Matt NeSmith walks off the 18th green after his putt during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Matt NeSmith watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Taylor Pendrith lines up his putt on the 18th green during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Taylor Pendrith putts on the 18th green during the second round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Blaine, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)