Caballero’s Power Surge and Schlittler’s Redemption Lead Yankees Past Rays
José Caballero, a former Tampa Bay Ray, returned to Tropicana Field on July 6, 2026, launching two home runs to power the New York Yankees to a 5-1 victory over his old club. His four RBIs were the driving force behind an offense that otherwise managed only three hits, all of them long balls. The win helped the Yankees avoid a three-game losing streak and provided a much-needed boost in their series opener against the Rays.
The contest began as a classic pitcher’s duel between the Yankees’ Cam Schlittler and the Rays’ Griffin Jax. Jax was particularly dominant early on, retiring the first 13 Yankees he faced and carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning. However, his control faltered when he issued back-to-back walks to Jasson Domínguez and Jazz Chisholm Jr., setting the stage for Caballero. With the count even, Caballero connected on a changeup, sending a three-run shot into the left-field seats, breaking the scoreless tie and Jax’s no-hit bid.
That three-run blast was more than enough support for Schlittler, who delivered a stellar performance after a rough outing in his previous start. The second-year right-hander, clearly motivated by criticism following a four-inning, six-run effort against the Detroit Tigers, held the Rays to just one run on four hits over eight innings. He struck out eight batters and threw 101 pitches, 72 for strikes, lowering his American League-leading ERA to 2.01.
Caballero wasn’t done, adding a solo shot in the eighth inning off Chris Roycroft for his 10th homer of the season, a career high. Ben Rice also contributed a solo home run in the ninth, providing additional insurance. Despite striking out 17 times as a team, the Yankees’ reliance on the long ball proved effective, with all five runs coming via home runs. The Rays’ lone run came in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Richie Palacios.
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