The new relievers should prove to be the Yankees' most consequential additions. The bullpen should go from a weakness to a major strength.

Ben Rice hit a three-run homer in the second inning after Giancarlo Stanton blasted a two-run shot in the first as the host New York Yankees raced out to a seven-run lead and recorded a 7-4 victory over the sliding Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday afternoon in the final game before the trade deadline.

Giancarlo Stanton and Ben Rice homered in the first two innings and the Yankees beat the Rays 7-4 in a game delayed by rain for nearly three hours Thursday.