Tampa Bay Rays 6 — New York Yankees 4
Tough luck found its way around Eduardo Nunez and the Yankees in tonight’s 6-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
CC Sabathia tried to show that he is back to form in tonight’s game but struggles showed again. Wild pitches and passed balls created rough innings like the 5th. After a double by catcher Chris Gimenez, Sabathia threw a wild pitch that let the runner move to 3rd. A walk was followed by two singles to bring in 2 runs and a second wild pitch would eventually become a bases loaded, no out situation. A 3rd run would come in on a double play and CC Sabathia has lost a lead again, his 5th straight start doing this. CC Sabathia got 2 outs in the 7th before giving up another run to end his night. Sabathia would need 110 pitches to get through 6.2 innings and gave up 4 runs on 6 hits with just 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. Cody Eppley would finish off the 7th inning but give up a lead off home run to B.J. Upton in the 8th inning. Another run would score on the untimely error by Eduardo Nunez at shortstop. With 1 on and 2 outs, Nunez made his first error since his recent call-up and it would give the Rays a 2-run lead that they would not lose. CC Sabathia has not looked right in his last 5 starts and he has not looked like the ace of a pitching staff. It hasn’t been clear if this is a result of ineffectiveness or injury but he has not looked like the dependable workhorse the Yankees could count on in a big game.
The offense continues to deal with ineffectiveness during opportune times. In the 1st inning, the Yankees had a huge opportunity to score on David Price as he 2 with 1 out but Robinson Cano hit into a double play and spoiled a good start against a great pitcher. Steve Pearce would come through with runners in scoring position in the 2nd inning. The Yankees would be held off the scoreboard until the 5th inning, when they had to respond to losing their lead and started with a lead off home run by Curtis Granderson. In another instance of tough luck, Eduardo Nunez hit a sharp single down the left field line that hit 3rd base umpire Jerry Meals which changed what was expected to be extra bases, into a single. The name Jerry Meals should sound familiar as he was the 1st base umpire on the blown call in Baltimore Orioles recently. Derek Jeter would follow with a single, passing Willie Mays for 10th all-time on the hits list. The next 2 batters would not be able to come through with runners in scoring position, again. There is good reason to believe the Yankees could have possibly scored more in the 5th inning had Meals not gotten hit by the base hit. The Yankees would stage a rally in the 8th inning when Alex Rodriguez hit a 2-run home run to put the Yankees 1 run behind. The Rays would turn to closer Fernando Rodney for a 4-out save and he would shut the door as he continues his outstanding season, sporting an ERA below 1.00 and having 43 saves.
Win – David Price (18-5)
Loss – CC Sabathia (13-6)
Save – Fernando Rodney (43)
Notables
Rays
*Desmond Jennings – 2 for 5, R, RBI (42)
*B.J. Upton – 1 for 5, R, Solo Home Run (23) in the 8th, RBI (68)
Yankees
*Alex Rodriguez – 1 for 3, R, BB, 2-Run Home Run (18) in the 8th, 2 RBI (52)
*Curtis Granderson – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (38) in the 5th, RBI (90)
Current Yankees Record: 81-63
