ST. PETERSBURG– A whopping 12,737 fans filed into Tropicana Field for the rubber match between the Yankees and Rays on Wednesday night, as Tampa Bay ultimately came away with a 4-1 victory.
Corey Dickerson led off the game with a loud home run to left-center field off of Yankees starter, Michael Pineda. The big righty, who is essentially pitching for a contract next season, lasted less than four innings and allowed four earned runs on eight hits.
Pineda was killed by two-out hits last year and, coincidentally, picked up right where he left off. He surrendered three runs with two outs tonight, all coming in the second inning off the bats of Derek Norris and Dickerson.
0 outs Michael Pineda vs 2 outs Michael Pineda pic.twitter.com/v40ZdpjssG
— Andrew (@Andrew_Rotondi) April 6, 2017
The Yankees bats were just as disappointing against Rays starter Alex Cobb, who went 5.2 and struck out four. Aside from Jacoby Ellsbury’s solo homer in the second inning which tied the game at one at the time, the team failed to muster up any offense. The Yankees had nine chances to plate a run with a player in scoring position, but could not cash in.
Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and Aaron Judge combined to hit 4-38 in this series. With the Baby Bombers struggling to produce, the Yankees’ offense has stalled after tearing through spring training.
However, one of the bright spots on the young season has been the bullpen. Tommy Layne, Adam Warren and Chasen Shreve didn’t allow a hit to the Rays after replacing Pineda. The bullpen, as a whole, did not allow a single run to the Rays all series as well.
13 2/3 scoreless innings from the #Yankees bullpen to start the year, with 17 strikeouts. Another 4 1/3 tonight (Layne, Warren, Shreve).
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) April 6, 2017
Alex Colome recorded his second save of the season in a somewhat weird fashion. The Rays closer took two balls off of his back in the inning but managed to escape unscathed.
The Yankees will look to bounce back in their next series against the Baltimore Orioles when Luis Severino takes the mound against Ubaldo Jimenez on Friday night.
Win- Alex Cobb (1-0)
Loss- Michael Pineda (0-1)
Save- Alex Colome (2)
Notables:
Rays
Corey Dickerson- 2-4, R, HR, 2 RBI
Derek Norris- 1-3, R, 2 RBI, SB
Yankees
Jacoby Ellsbury– 3-4, R, HR, RBI
Chase Headley– 2-3, BB
