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.

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.

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

Tampa Bay Rays All-Star first baseman Jonathan Aranda collided with Giancarlo Stanton while fielding an errant throw and has exited the game