TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — Ben Rice homered twice and drove in five runs as the New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 12-4 on Thursday afternoon at George Steinbrenner Field.

Rice hit a two-run homer in the third inning and a three-run shot in the sixth, finishing 2 for 4. Ryan McMahon added two doubles and two RBIs, and Trent Grisham had two hits. The Yankees scored six runs in the third inning, three in the sixth and single runs in the fourth, seventh and eighth.

New York had 14 hits while Tampa Bay managed 10. The Rays scored once in the first, twice in the third and once in the sixth.

Ryan Yarbrough (1-0) earned the win in relief. Drew Rasmussen (7-5) took the loss. Angel Chivilli threw two scoreless innings with three strikeouts for New York. Chandler Simpson went 2 for 4 for Tampa Bay.

The Yankees improved to 51-42; the Rays fell to 54-37. Attendance was 18,255. Time of game was 2:53.