Tampa Bay Rays 3 — New York Yankees 5
Ivan Nova made his return from the disabled list with a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Ivan Nova started today’s game after being activated from the disabled list with a shoulder injury. He pitched like the dominant reliable pitcher we enjoyed watching early in the season. He confidently attacked the strike zone and would allow just 2 runs on 4 hits with 2 walks and 8 strikeouts in 6 innings of work. The first run he gave up came on an Evan Longoria home run in the 6th inning. This was the only flaw in his game as he exited with 1 on after 85 pitches. Boone Logan would get 1 out before giving up a double and exiting the game to Joba Chamberlain. The Yankees big reliever would give up a 2-run single that would make it a 1-run game before ending the inning. David Robertson would be perfect in his 8th inning of work. Rafael Soriano would make it a bit tense but would strikeout Elliot Johnson to finish off the game for his 39th save of the season.
Curtis Granderson appears to be out of his September slump. In the 2nd inning against James Shields, Curtis Granderson would make the Rays starter pay for his leadoff walk with a 2-run home run, his 39th of the season and his 5th home run in 6 games to put the Yankees ahead 2-0. Eduardo Nunez would backup Granderson’s home run with a home run of his own, his 1st of the season, as the Yankees get back-to-back home runs to put them in an early 3-0 lead. Derek Jeter would continue his MVP-caliber season when he came through in the 5th inning with runners in scoring position. After Ichiro Suzuki singled and stole second base; the Yankees shortstop came through with a single to center to bring in Suzuki. Then in the 8th inning, after a Robinson Cano double, Alex Rodiguez would continue his hot-hitting since returning from the disabled list with a single to center with runners in scoring position as well. The Yankees didn’t have a large number of ideal opportunities but they came through with 2 hits in 3 at-bats with runners in scoring position to aid in their win.
Win – Ivan Nova (12-7)
Loss – James Shields (14-9)
Save – Rafael Soriano (39)
Notables
Rays
*Evan Longoria – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (12) in the 6th, RBI (41)
*Luke Scott – 1 for 1, 2 RBI (49)
Yankees
*Curtis Granderson – 1 for 3, R, 2-Run Home Run (39) in the 2nd, 2 RBI (92)
*Alex Rodriguez – 2 for 4, RBI (53)
Current Yankees Record: 82-63
