Ben Rice hits two-run single to cap 3-run sixth as Yankees pull away for 8-3 victory over Blue Jays

NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Rice hit a bases-loaded single to score two runs and cap a three-run sixth inning, and the New York Yankees pulled away for an 8-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.

The Yankees knocked out Toronto starter José Soriano (10-7) by opening the sixth with three straight singles, including a bunt by Jazz Chisholm Jr. that loaded the bases. After Braydon Fisher got the first two outs, Trent Grisham took a 3-2 slider that was low and inside for a go-ahead walk.

Rice also reached a full count against left-hander Mason Fluharty and lined a slider to right field for a 5-2 lead.

Chisholm added a two-run homer in the seventh and Grisham homered in the eighth as the Yankees earned a win by at least five runs for the third time since the All-Star break.

Rookie Spencer Jones had an RBI double in the second and also made a diving catch in right field on Alejandro Kirk’s sinking liner in the sixth. Austin Wells added an RBI double in the second as the Yankees won for the sixth time in seven games.

New York finished with double-digit hits for the third time in five games after getting no-hit for 6 2/3 innings on Saturday by Dylan Cease.

New York starter Carlos Rodón allowed two runs – one earned -- and two hits in four innings. Still on a pitch count in his second start off the injured list, the left-hander threw 76 pitches, including 12 more after a fielding error by rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. in the fourth on Ernie Clement’s grounder.

Paul Blackburn (5-2) pitched two innings for the win.

Rookie Brett Bateman and Daz Cameron lifted sacrifice flies for Toronto. Kirk added an RBI single in the eighth.

Soriano allowed five runs and seven hits in five-plus innings. The right-hander struck out seven and walked three.

Blue Jays: Hosts Kansas City in the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday.

Yankees: RHP Will Warren (8-6, 4.43) opens a three-game series against visiting Houston on Tuesday.

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New York Yankees' George Lombard Jr. hits a single during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. gestures to teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, left, watches as New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. hits a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, left, watches as New York Yankees' Ben Rice follows through on a two-run single during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

BALTIMORE (AP) — Nick Martinez pitched six innings of one-hit ball, Junior Caminero and Chandler Simpson delivered RBI singles in the pivotal sixth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.

The AL East-leading Rays had lost three straight and seven of nine before bouncing back behind Martinez (13-4), who retired 18 of the 19 batters he faced. The only flaw in his brilliant performance was Colton Cowser's third-inning double down the right-field line.

Cam Booser worked a perfect seventh, Kevin Kelly got three straight outs in the eighth and Bryan Baker gave up a leadoff homer to Cowser in the ninth before sealing his 37th save.

Baltimore finished with three hits and failed to draw a walk for the first time in 122 games.

Martinez and former Tampa Bay starter Shane Baz were locked in a scoreless pitching duel until the sixth, when the Rays went up 3-0 after Baz got two straight outs. Yandy Díaz singled, took third on a single by Jonathan Arana and scored when Baz threw a wild pitch to Caminero.

Caminero then grounded a run-scoring single up the middle. Baz was lifted after walking Liam Hicks, and Simpson greeted Grant Wolfram with a single to center.

Baz (4-14) gave up three runs and five hits. The hard-luck righty is 0-8 in 12 starts since June 12, in part because the Orioles have provided him only 15 runs of support in those dozen outings.

It was a disappointing finish to a 2-4 homestand for Baltimore than began with three straight losses to the Yankees.

The defeat blunted Baltimore's bid to make some progress in the crowded race for the final AL wild-card spot. The Orioles started the day one game out but tied with the Twins behind three teams.

Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen (13-5, 3.01 ERA) starts Monday night in Detroit. The Orioles have Monday off before Chris Bassitt (4-4, 5.08) starts in St. Louis on Tuesday night.

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Tampa Bay Rays' Chandler Simpson follows through on a single against the Baltimore Orioles in the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Shane Baz delivers against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Nick Martinez delivers against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)