New York Yankees (0-2) 6 — Tampa Bay Rays (2-0) 8
Early issues were too much to overcome despite a 9th-inning rally in tonight’s 8-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Hiroki Kuroda made his Yankees debut in tonight’s game and backup infielder Eduardo Nunez immediately committed his first error of the season on what appeared to be a routine ground ball. A pair of walks in the 1st inning set into motion a two-run first inning that went on much longer than it probably should have. The Rays aggressive approach towards Kuroda continued paying off in the following innings as they put up two more runs. Kuroda’s debut outing went 5.2 innings with 6 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits with 4 walks. This outing will make some Yankees fans question his capabilities in the American League.
The Yankees offense was shut down by masterful defense. The defense was positioned wherever the Yankees managed to put the ball in play as numerous attempts to rally for a big inning were caught. The long ball can’t be defended and Nick Swisher managed to cut the deficit to two with a three-run blast deep into right field. After a walk by Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez hit into the teeth of another defensive shift put in place and ended the comeback attempt.
Win – David Price (1-0)
Loss – Hiroki Kuroda (0-1)
Save – Fernando Rodney (1)
Notable
Yankees
*Nick Swisher – 1 for 3, R, 2 BB, 3-Run Home Run (1) in the 9th, 3 RBI (4)
*Andruw Jones – 1 for 3, R, RBI (1)
Rays
*Matt Joyce – 2 for 3, 2 R, BB, Solo Home Run (1) in the 3rd, 3 RBI (3)
*Luke Scott – 3 for 4, R, 2B, 3 RBI (3)
Current Yankees Record: 0-2
Ryan Nakada
@adakannayr
