Two hits and a sacrifice fly scored a run for the Rangers in the first inning. Texas manufactured one more run in the third with another sacrifice fly. Ray then settled in for four more scoreless frames, striking out eight batters over seven innings in his best start of the season so far. The 33-year-old left-hander will take a 3.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 33/19 K/BB ratio across 31 1/3 innings into a start against the Rockies in San Francisco on Friday.

Ray had an encouraging spring, but he’s given up five homers and walked 18 batters in 24 1/3 innings over his first five regular-season starts. His 4.07 ERA isn’t bad, but nothing so far has suggested he’s about to start performing better. He’ll face the Rangers next.

Ray had just about the worst first inning imaginable after being spotted a four-run lead before even toeing the rubber. He walked four batters, including two with the bases loaded, and threw 39 pitches in total before narrowly escaping. It did get easier after that though as he pulled the nose up a bit, besides coughing up a game-tying home run to Bryce Harper. In the end, this looked a lot like one of those old school Diamondbacks starts where Ray couldn’t place his fastball and fell behind in practically every at-bat. He’s lined up for a two-start week against the Brewers and Rangers next.

The 33-year-old southpaw allowed just two hits in the contest, but he also issued four walks which led to an elevated pitch count of 98 through four innings and nearly cost him a shot at an easy victory. The fact that the game was called due to rain is the only reason he factored into the decision. The only run that the Yankees were able to muster against him came on an RBI double by Austin Wells in the second inning. Ray generated 12 swings and misses on the night, eight of those on his slider, while posting a CSW of 24 percent. He’ll carry a 3-0 record, 2.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 13/10 K/BB ratio (15 1/3 innings) into Wednesday’s matchup against the Phillies in Philadelphia.