The Yankees' five-game winning streak came to a screeching halt on Wednesday, as old nemesis Nathan Eovaldi once again proved to be their kryptonite. After shutting them down in Texas with seven scoreless innings, the right-hander went eight strong in the Bronx, surrendering only a solo shot to Aaron Judge. It's a familiar sting for the Bombers, who have now lost their last two starts to Eovaldi.

With the loss, the door cracked open for the Yankees' top rivals to gain ground—a rare opportunity given New York had dropped just three of their previous 18 contests. And one team wasted no time stepping through it.

The Tampa Bay Rays, riding their own hot streak—especially at home—took full advantage, blanking the defending AL champion Blue Jays 3-0. Shane McClanahan was masterful, working into the sixth inning while allowing just two hits and a walk with four strikeouts. The Rays' bullpen then slammed the door, surrendering only two hits the rest of the way.

Tampa Bay struck in the fourth against Patrick Corbin. After Junior Caminero lined out, Jonathan Aranda walked, setting the stage for Jonny DeLuca's RBI double. Corbin nearly escaped with minimal damage, but Chandler Simpson singled to right to plate DeLuca and put a crooked number on the board. That proved to be all the Rays needed, though they tacked on an insurance run in the eighth when Cedric Mullins singled, moved around on a pair of grounders, and scored on a throwing error by Ernie Clement. The win pulled Tampa Bay within half a game of the Yankees in the standings.

Elsewhere, the Boston Red Sox (16-21) bounced back with a 4-0 shutout of the Detroit Tigers (18-20). Jack Flaherty was a study in contrasts—striking out 10 batters over just five innings but allowing four runs (two earned). The damage came in the third on an RBI double from Caleb Durbin and a sacrifice fly from Willson Contreras, followed by two unearned runs in the fourth after a grounder deflected off Colt Keith into the left-field corner. Sonny Gray earned the win in his first start for Boston, keeping the Tigers off the board.