Yankees Drop Season Opener To Rays, 7-6

What a strange way to start the season. C.C. Sabathia struggled early on, having trouble getting out of the first inning. The Ray's loaded the bases in the first and Carlos Pena made C.C. pay with a 1st inning grand slam. Sabathia eventually settled down only giving up a solo home run in the 3rd to Evan Longoria.

Meanwhile the Yankees were fighting their way back into the game. In the 2nd, Raul Ibanez got his first RBI as a Yankee driving in Robinson Cano on a ground out which was immediately followed by a wild pitch scoring Mark Teixeira. In the 3rd inning the Yankees were in control after Raul Ibanez sent a 3-1 pitch into the right field seats. His first home run as a Yankee came at a great time, when questions were being raised after a sluggish start in spring training. After the early abundance of offense by both teams, the bats settled down.

Going into the bottom of the 9th  the usually reliable Mariano Rivera took the mound for the Yankees, holding onto a one run lead. Rivera ended up blowing the save, and giving up the winning run on a Carlos Pena bases loaded single.

Fernando Rodney is credited with the win for the Rays (1-0) (1 IP, 1 K)

The loss goes to Mariano Rivera (0-1) (0.1 IP, 2 ER, 1 K)

C.C. Sabathia went 6 innings gave up 5 earned runs on 8 hits throwing 104 pitches

Rays starter James Shields went 5 innings gave up 6 earned runs on 9 hits throwing 104 pitches

The Yankees continue their series with the Rays tommorow at 7:10pm here on 104.5 The Team. Probable starting pitchers are Hiroki Kuroda for the Yankees and David Price for the Rays. Pregame begins at 6:30pm.