Kuroda Struggles In Yankee Debut, Yanks Lose 8-6

The New York Yankees aren’t exactly off to a hot start now dropping their second straight. Tonight was the second of the three game opening series in Tampa Bay. The Yankees sent newly acquired Hiroki Kuroda to the mound while the David Price got the nod for the Rays.

Kuroda did not look sharp in his Yankee debut going 5 2/3 innings giving up 6 runs, 4 earned on 8 hits. Kuroda was getting hit hard all game, even the outs. The Yankees immediately fell behind in the first inning after a costly Eduardo Nunez error that was followed by two walks which led to a Luke Scott two run single. Scott finished the game with 3 hits and 3 RBI.  The Rays added a run in the second and third making the Yankees play from behind for the second game in a row.

In the fourth the Yankees added two runs. Andruw Jones singled with two-outs and Curtis Granderson scored, Andruw Jones moved to third on a throwing error which led to an Eduardo Nunez RBI single.  That was as close as it would get for the Yankees the Rays would add two in the sixth and two more in the seventh giving them a six run lead.

The Yankees rallied in the ninth. Curtis Granderson led off with a triple off of Josh Leuke. Raul Ibanez followed with a sac-fly making the score 8-3. Russell Martin walked and Eric Chavez singled. Nick Swisher then blasted a three run home run giving the Yankees hope with 2 outs in the ninth. Robinson Cano followed the Swisher home run with a walk leaving it up to A-Rod, who grounded out to second to end the game.

The Yankees wrap up the series tomorrow afternoon.  Phil Hughes is the Yankees starter and Jeremy Hellickson is the scheduled Rays starter. Game time is 1:40, pregame starts at 1 on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.