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Game 29: Long Ball Sets Nova Right

Tampa Bay Rays 3 — New York Yankees 5

 

A pair of blasts aided Ivan Nova in getting back into the win column and got Joe Girardi his 400th managerial win in tonight’s 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

 

Raul Ibanez went deep twice in support of Ivan Nova. Curtis Granderson also hit a solo home run, his 10th of the season, in the 5th inning. Two of the three home runs came off of Rays starter James Shields. Shields went 6 innings and just gave up three runs on the two home runs in tonight’s outing. A run-scoring double in the 8th by Mark Teixeira after a costly two-base error by Rays centerfielder B.J. Upton added insurance that kept some Yankees fans at ease in what was a tense 9th inning.

 

Ivan Nova came in to tonight’s game with a rare loss to bounce back from and he did just that. In 7 innings, Nova gave up 2 runs on a pair of solo home runs with 8 strikeouts. He escaped a jam with the lead in the 7th inning as he left runners on 2nd & 3rd with a short fly out and a strikeout to end his night on a strong note. Rafael Soriano took on the role of 8th inning setup reliever and made it a little interesting as he gave up one run on a wild pitch but managed to finish the inning with a lead intact. Unoffficial closer David Robertson stood on the mound for the 9th inning and his first save attempt. For years, Yankees fans have been spoiled by the efficient and effective work of the all-time saves leader, Mariano Rivera. In tonight’s 9th inning, the Yankees faced a pair of situations in which the tying run and the winning run on bases but a pair of strikeouts put to rest what was a typical Houdini act by who could be the Yankees 2012 closer.

 

Win – Ivan Nova (4-1)

Loss – James Shields (5-1)

Save – David Robertson (1)

 

Notable

Rays

*Jose Molina -1 for 3, R, Solo Home Run (2) in the 6th, RBI (6)

*Luke Scott – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (7) in the 7th, RBI (22)

Yankees

*Raul Ibanez – 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 HRs (5; 2-Run & Solo) in the 4th & 7th, 3 RBI (16)

*Curtis Granderson – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (10) in the 5th, RBI (19)

 

Current Yankees Record: 16-13

 

Ryan Nakada

@adakannayr