(Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)
New York Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice recorded his first career four-hit game on Thursday, and there's every reason to believe it won't be his last.
The hot-hitting Rice is proving to be a consistent top-of-the-order bat for the Yankees, who continue their four-game series against the host Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.
New York opened the set with a 6-3 win on Thursday. Oswaldo Cabrera hit a solo homer and Rice drove in two runs to help the Yankees win their fourth straight.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone continues to be impressed with Rice, who is batting .317 with five homers and nine RBIs. Boone wasn't surprised by Rice's performance in Thursday's win.
'Just more raking,' Boone said. 'He can really hit. He's obviously putting together great at-bats. There's patience within there, and when he's getting into some leverage counts, he's obviously doing a lot of damage.'
Rice has drawn praise from teammates and provided a welcome spark in place of Giancarlo Stanton, who is out indefinitely with right and left elbow epicondylitis.
'(Rice) has been playing great,' New York first baseman Paul Goldschmidt said. 'He had a great spring, and he's got tremendous power. He hits the ball hard. Great at-bats -- lefty on lefty, as well. Just really good at-bats, and he's doing great for us.'
New York will send left-hander Carlos Rodon (1-3, 5.48 ERA) to the mound opposite Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen (1-0, 0.60) on Friday.
Rodon has lost three straight starts since opening the season with a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed four runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 5-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants last Sunday.
Rodon, 32, allowed just two baserunners in the first five innings before giving up a three-run homer in the sixth.
Yandy Diaz is 4-for-11 (.364) with a homer and three RBIs against Rodon, who is 1-3 with a 4.62 ERA in eight career starts versus Tampa Bay.
Rasmussen has pitched well in his first three starts this season, allowing a total of one run on nine hits over 15 innings.
The 29-year-old Rasmussen received a no-decision after giving up four hits over five scoreless innings against the Atlanta Braves last Saturday.
Anthony Volpe is hitless with three strikeouts in five at-bats against Rasmussen, who is 2-0 with 26 strikeouts across 21 scoreless innings versus New York.
Tampa Bay lost its third straight game on Thursday but there were several encouraging signs. Junior Caminero hit a two-run homer, giving him five for the season and four in his last six games.
Richie Palacios added a career-high-tying three hits in his season debut after a broken right ring finger delayed the start of his season. Palacios started in left field and moved to right field Thursday. He will likely also see playing time at second base.
'He helps us when he's in the lineup,' Rays manager Kevin Cash said. 'He's a huge benefit when he's not in the lineup because of the versatility.
'He plays good defense in the outfield and at second base, and generally gives us a pretty complete good at-bat where he'll see some pitches, makes pitchers work and can beat you by shooting (and) spraying line drives all over the place.'
--Field Level Media
