Yankees Lose To Rays, Making Playoffs More Unlikely

scores.espn.go.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

September 24^th, 2013

Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Rays 7 Yankees 0

The New York Yankees playoffs hopes took yet another blow, as their loss on Monday to the Tampa Bay Rays basically ended their chances of making the playoffs unless something crazy happens. The loss moves them to (82-75), which is five games behind the Cleveland Indians for the final playoff spot.

Hiroki Kuroda's last two months of the season has been a tough one, and on Tuesday night it was another bad start for Kuroda, as he picked up his 13^th loss of the season. The first inning was a tough one for Kuroda, as lead-off hitter Matt Joyce hit a solo-home run to get the Rays on the board. Later in the inning the Rays would tack on two more runs on a David DeJesus double that score Wil Myers, and then Evan Longoria hit a sac-fly to score DeJesus to make it a three-run first inning. In the sixth inning the Rays would get their final two runs off of Kuroda, as with the bases loaded James Loney hit a double to score Myers and Longoria to make it a 5-0 game. Kuroda finished going 5.2 innings allowing five runs on five hits and two walks.

Yankees Lose Series Opener to Rays

wfla.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

June 20^th, 2013

Tampa Bay Rays vs New York Yankees Post Game Recap

Final Score: Rays 8 Yankees 3

The New York Yankees did not start their weekend four-game home series against the division rival Tampa Bay Rays they would have liked to, losing by a score of 8-3. The loss moves the Yankees to (39-33), and the AL East is really starting to tighten up from top to bottom.

Andy Pettitte was not very good for the Yankees on Thursday night, as his poor performance led to him getting his fifth loss of the season. The Rays got to Pettitte pretty early, as a Jose Lobaton sac-fly scored recently called up Wil Meyers for the first run of the ball game in the second inning. In the third inning the Rays would tack on two more with a Ben Zobrist RBI single which scored Desmond Jennings, and then a sac-fly from Evan Longoria scored Sean Rodriguez. Longoria would make it a 4-0 game in the sixth inning with his 15^th home run of the season off Pettitte. Back to back doubles in the seventh inning from Rodriguez and Jennings would send Pettitte to the locker room. Pettitte finished going 6.2 innings allowing five runs on nine hits with one walk.

Yankees Come From Behind to Defeat Rays in Extra-Innings

nydailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 25^th, 2013

New York Yankees vs Tampa Bay Rays

Final Score: Yankees 4 Rays 3

The New York Yankees were able to take the second game of the series in Tampa Bay against the Rays with some late inning heroics, as they won in 11 innings. The win moves the Yankees to (30-18), and they still hold a one game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

Vidal Nuno came thru for the Yankees with his second straight good start, but he did not factor in the decision. He pitched very well for most of the game, but seemed to tire down in the later innings, which led to Girardi pulling him. Nuno finished going six innings allowing just two runs on five hits, and one walk. Nuno has done as well as the Yankees could have hoped for in his two starts.

Poor Start From Sabathia Leads to Yankees Loss

nytimes.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 22nd, 2013

New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays Post Game Recap

Final Score: Yankees 1 Rays 5

The New York Yankees series in Tampa Bay against the Rays didn’t start well, as they played pretty poorly in all aspects of the game. The loss moves the Yankees to (10-8) so far on the season, and is their second straight loss.

Yankees Starter C.C. Sabathia came into this start winning three straight games, but that streak was ended in Tampa Bay. In Sabathia’s second loss of the season he went seven innings allowing five runs on seven hits, and two walks. Sabathia velocity was a little bit better in this game, but that didn’t help him keep the ball in the park, as he gave up three homeruns, two of which were given up to Ryan Roberts, and one to Yunel Escobar. Since Sabathia has joined the Yankees, Tampa Bay hasn’t been very good to him, as the Yankees have only won one of the nine games he’s pitched in Tropicana Field.