Chaos reigned in the Bronx on Thursday, but the New York Yankees found a way to thrive in it. In the middle of trade deadline madness, they beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 and closed the gap with the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East to just 3.5 games.

After trading away starting right-hander Zack Littell and going deep into their bullpen in an 11-inning loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Rays are bringing in some fresh arms.

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.