The New York Yankees' early-season struggles deepened Friday night as the Tampa Bay Rays mounted a comeback for a 5-3 victory, handing the Bronx Bombers their third consecutive loss. The tone was set in the very first inning when Yandy Díaz launched a game-tying, two-run homer off Yankees starter Luis Gil, who was making his season debut.

Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, was handed a 2-0 lead after Aaron Judge singled, stole a base, and scored alongside Amed Rosario. But the right-hander couldn't hold it, surrendering Díaz's blast on a slider over the heart of the plate. The Rays took the lead for good in the second inning and never looked back, adding insurance runs in the sixth.

The loss highlighted a concerning trend for the Yankees' offense, which has gone ice-cold. Since their first three batters recorded hits on Wednesday, Yankees hitters are a dismal 7 for 86 (.081), including a stretch of 22 consecutive batters without a hit. Ben Rice provided a brief spark with his first career pinch-hit homer in the eighth, but it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit.

On the mound, Tampa Bay's Steven Matz settled in after a rocky first, retiring 13 of 15 batters to earn the win. The Rays' bullpen combination then sealed the deal, striking out 12 Yankees batters collectively. The series continues Saturday as the Yankees will look to ace Max Fried to stop the skid against Rays right-hander Nick Martinez.