Kuroda Gets Rocked in Tampa Bay

sports.yahoo.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

August 23^rd, 2013

New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 2 Rays 7

The New York Yankees couldn’t keep their momentum from sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays into Tampa Bay against the Rays on Friday, as they were defeated in the opening game of the series. The loss moves the Yankees to 6.5 games behind in the AL East, and four games behind for the two Wild Card spots.

Rays Starter Chris Archer gave his team a great start against a red hot Yankees team, as the strong start earned Archer his seventh win of the season. The Yankees offense did get the lead in the first inning off of Archer however, as Alfonso Soriano was able to single home Brett Gardner. The final run the Yankees would score in this game also came off of Archer in the sixth inning, as Robinson Cano grounded out, which allowed Gardner to score once again. Archer finished going seven innings allowing just two runs on four hits, and two walks, as Archer seems to certainly have the Yankees number this season with three very good starts.

Yankees Lose to Rays on Old Timers Day

sbnation.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

June 23^rd, 2013

Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Rays 3 Yankees 1

On the always fun Old Timers Day in the Bronx, the New York Yankees were unable to get the win against the Tampa Bay Rays with so many Yankee greats in attendance. The 3-1 loss moves the Yankees to (41-34), which is still 2.5 games behind the AL leading Boston Red Sox.

Ivan Nova made his return to the Yankees, but despite pitching much better than he had, he picked up the loss which was his second of the year. Nova looked shaky early, as the Rays go on the board quickly in the first with a Ben Zobrist base hit that scored Matt Joyce. Nova would calm down and pitch extremely well until hitting back to back batters in the seventh inning with two outs. Shawn Kelley would come in for Nova, but he walked Evan Longoria to load the bases, and with a lefty in James Loney up Joe Girardi quickly pulled Kelley for Boone Logan. Loney would get the best of Logan however with a two out two run single, which ended up being all the Rays would need for the win.