The Rays fell behind the Yankees by seven runs in a rough first three innings by starter Ryan Pepiot.

The Rays lost their second player of the game Thursday in New York to an apparent injury after an on-field collision with hulking outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.

Giancarlo Stanton and Ben Rice homered in the first two innings and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 in a game interrupted by rain for nearly three hours.

The Yankees grabbed an early 7-0 lead, then led 7-4 before a long rain delay in the fifth. Neither team scored after the game resumed.

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.