Yankees Rivalry Roundup: Rays’ winning streak felled by mighty Yordan Alvarez

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 04: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros hits a two run walk off home run in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Daikin Park on July 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Fourth of July was an ugly one at Yankee Stadium. Given a spot start due to Carlos Rodón’s injury, Brendan Beck got absolutely walloped by Minnesota, giving up three homers to put the Yankees in a quick 5-0 hole by the middle of the second.

The offense didn’t do much in response, the bullpen was dreadful, and the Yankees quickly went back to their losing ways after Friday’s win snapped a seven-game skid. Now they must beat the capable Joe Ryan today, or they’ll suffer the ignominy of a home series loss to the Twins.Here’s what else was going on in some of the notable American League action yesterday.

Tampa Bay Rays (52-34) 8, Houston Astros (44-47) 10If a true Most Valuable Player is someone who can thoroughly take over ballgames and nearly win them on their owns, then Saturday night might have been Yordan Alvarez’s showcase. It’s hard for a primary DH to take home the award, but Alvarez’s first half has clearly made the case that he should end up in the conversation. Voted the starting DH for the American League in the All-Star Game, the man is now hitting .

324/.433/.645 with 29 homers, a 192 wRC+, and over 4.

0 fWAR in 89 games. Yowza.View LinkAlvarez made his impact on this one felt early.

Junior Caminero continued his hellacious run with his 11th homer in 11 games in the top of the first, but Houston was quick to counter. Jose Altuve led off the game against Drew Rasmussen by tripling to left-center, and Alvarez then launched a 403-foot homer to make it 2-1, Houston.Ace Hunter Brown couldn’t come up with the goods for his team, and the Rays punched back.

Richie Palacios belted a two-run homer to regain the lead at 3-2, and Tampa Bay piled on in a long third inning that doubled their run output to six, including a