Tampa Bay Rays 1 — New York Yankees 0
One run is too much for the weak offense in today’s 1-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Rays starter Chris Archer and Yankees starter Ivan Nova matched up in a pitcher’s duel today. Ivan Nova’s road was bumpier than Archer’s but runs are what counts. Ivan Nova gave up a pair of singles in the first inning but kept the Rays off the scoreboard. He got the next seven batters out until a jam in the fourth inning.
In the fourth inning, Nova gave up a leadoff double to rookie Wil Myers and walked James Loney. With two on and no outs, Ivan Nova stepped up his game. He would proceed to strikeout Ben Zobrist, Matt Joyce and Kelly Johnson. They all struck out swinging on the curveball. Nova would start the fifth inning with another walk but would finish the inning strong again, striking out two.
Nova was only able to maintain the zeroes until the sixth inning. After Wil Myers grounded out, James Loney hit a bloop single that landed in front of Brett Gardner in center. Zobrist would reach on a fielder’s choice but advanced when he stole second base. Matt Joyce walked and a second bloop single to land in front of Gardner would give the Rays the lead.
Yes, two bloop singles were the straws to break the camel’s back. In seven innings, Ivan Nova allowed one run on six hits while walking three and striking out eight. A common theme, but this is usually good enough for a win. Usually.
Rays’ starter Chris Archer had an easier path through the game. He needed 16 pitches to get through the first two innings. The first Yankees baserunner was Ichiro when he reached on an error by Evan Longoria in the fourth inning but he would be erased on a double play. They would get their first hit in the fifth inning when Lyle Overbay singled to right center. Brett Gardner would hit a double in the sixth inning but he would be stranded. The Yankees next 10 batters would go down with little fight. The last batter, Ichiro, grounded back to Archer for the last out.
On just 97 pitches, Chris Archer pitched a complete game shutout with no walks, two hits and six strikeouts.
The Yankees now have nine consecutive games without a home run. The state of the Yankees offense is dreadful.
Win – Chris Archer (6-3)
Loss – Ivan Nova (4-4)
Notables
Rays
*Kelly Johnson – 1 for 4, RBI (47)
*Ben Zobrist – 1 for 4, R
Yankees
*Brett Gardner – 1 for 4, 2B
*Lyle Overbay – 1 for 3
Current Yankees Record: 54-50
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