The Yankees (48-32) dropped their second game in a row losing to the Tampa Bay Rays (43-38) 7-4 on Tuesday night.  The Yankees jumped out to an early lead but it was not enough for Ivan Nova who pitched well but had no help from the defense.  Nova went six innings gave up six runs, only three earned on seven hits and struck out five.

In the first inning the Yankees got on the board off of Rays starter James Shields. Derek Jeter led off with a double, Curtis Granderson followed with an RBI double putting the Yankees up 1-0. Robinson Cano then brought around Granderson with a RBI base hit putting the Yankees up 2-0.

In the third inning Dewayne Wise launched a solo home run off of Shields putting the Yankees up 3-0. It was Wise third home run of the season.

The Rays were able to tie the game up in the bottom of the third thanks to BJ Upton and Jeff Keppinger RBI base hits.

In the fourth Eric Chavez put the Yankees up 4-3 with a RBI base hit scoring Raul Ibanez.

The Rays answered right back and took the lead in the bottom half of the fourth thanks to a Sean Rodriguez two run homer.  It was Rodriguez’s sixth of the season.The Rays would add two more in the seventh inning putting the Rays up 7-4.

James Shields was the winning pitcher (8-5). Shields went seven innings gave up four runs on 10 hits and struckout five. Fernando Rodney picked up his second save in as many days; he now has 24 on the season.

The Yankees play the Rays again on Wednesday afternoon. David Phelps (1-3 3.16) gets the start for the Yankees while David Price (11-4 2.92) goes for the Rays. Pregame coverage begins at 2:30, first pitch at 3:10 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.

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