Hicks went on the bench after missing two birds in the Yankees’ loss to Rays

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Hicks was removed mid-game after failing to catch consecutive drives to the left that landed for run-scoring doubles in the fourth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees Friday night by 4 : 2 to close within 3 1/2 games in the AL East.

“I was benched during the game. It’s tough, especially when you’re just producing for your team and your first two bats are strikeouts,” Hicks said.

Randy Arozarena had an RBI double on the first off from Frankie Montas (5-12) to give the Rays the lead to stay.

Wander Franco hit a two-out, two-on drive on the fourth drive that fell out of Hicks’ glove along the foul line in left field just in front of the wall. Hicks hung his head for a few seconds, thinking he caught the ball and the drive was lazy, scoring two runs before reacting and picking up the ball.

“Ball down the line. I thought I got it. It obviously came out of my glove,” Hicks said. “I thought I was in foul ground and should have gotten the ball in as soon as I missed it. I just got hit on the other one.”

Hicks was booed by a sell-out crowd of 46,160 who descended on Yankee Stadium on a night when former captain Derek Jeter was honored in a pregame ceremony.

“I don’t know how I missed it. It was in my glove and suddenly it’s out of my glove,” Hicks said. “Next thing you know, runners are running around scoring.”

Arozarena skied the next pitch to the left, and Hicks backed up half a dozen paces while taking a bad route on a difficult fly. The ball landed on the warning lane behind him when Franco scored to put it 4-0 ahead.

“The ball was hit hard right over my head, but if I take the first one, we’re out of the inning,” Hicks said.

Rookie Estevan Florial replaced Hicks early in the fifth, sparking cheers. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Hicks’ removal was not intended as a punishment. The reaction of the crowd was taken into account.

“I guess it all played into why I made the decision because I felt like it had an impact and I just felt like I had to do it,” Boone said.

In the fourth season of a $70 million, 7-year contract, Hicks has struck twice and hit a .157 with two extra base hits in 122 plate appearances since the All-Star break. His season average is a .212 with 36 RBIs.

Resumed from the paternity list, Drew Rasmussen (10-4) allowed six hits in six scoreless innings for a career-high 10. The Rays have won nine of 10 and 15 of 18.

“It’s the greatest week of my life and that can’t be underestimated,” said Rasmussen.

Aaron Judge hit an RBI single in the seventh and Kyle Higashioka hit in front of JT Chargois in the ninth. With Judge first after a two-out walk, Gleyber Torres flew into the right field warning lane.

Franco, back from a broken bone in his right hand that had sidelined him since July 9, was 3 for 5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.

Montas gave up four runs, nine hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings and has fallen 1-3 with a 5.94 ERA since being acquired by Oakland.

“I thought he fought really well. He deserved a better fate,” Boone said. “We didn’t make a few plays behind him.”

New York, which lost its second series, was missing seven regulars from the starting lineup. Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo, DJ LeMahieu, Andrew Benintendi and Matt Carpenter are injured, and Josh Donaldson and Jose Trevino are on the paternity list.

Stanton hit an inning-ending groundout as a two-on pinch hitter in sixth place and is 4 for his last 39.

EMOTIONAL

Tampa Bay selected infielder Yu Chang for the pick and opted RHP Yonny Chirinos for Triple-A Durham. Chirinos will remain with the Oberliga club as a member of the taxi squadron.

TRAINING ROOM

BLAST: RHP Tyler Glasnow (Tommy John op) served an inning for Triple-A Durham on Wednesday and is expected to serve at Gwinnett on Tuesday. … RHP Shane Baz (sprained right elbow) threw a bullpen session. … LHP Brendan McKay was recalled from Durham and placed on the 15-day IL. He is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery on September 14 with a goal of returning to the field in 2024. The procedure will be performed in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Dodgers’ senior team doctor.

Yankees: CF Harrison Bader (plantar fasciitis in right foot) could begin rehab as early as Sunday.

HIGH NEXT

Rays: RHP Corey Kluber (10-7, 4.00 ERA) defeated the Yankees at Tropicana Field last Saturday and dominated his former team for seven shutout innings, conceding just two hits and walking none.

Yankees: RHP Jameson Taillon (12-4, 3.95 ERA) will make his third attempt for his 50th win.