Yanks Fall 5-2, Lose Sole Possesion Of First Place

After jumping out to an early lead in the first inning the Yankees (76-59) looked like they might start to turn things around after falling from kings of the AL East in this past week, it was all downhill from there though. Freddy Garcia was hit hard and the Yankee offense completely disappeared in the Yankees 5-2 loss to the Rays (75-61) on Monday night.

Robinson Cano drilled a two run home run in the top of the first inning off of Tampa Bay Rays starter Alex Cobb to get things going for the Yankees. It was Cano’s 29^th home run of the season. That was it for the Yankee offense however as Cobb would shut them down for the rest of the game going seven innings, two runs on four hits and five strikeouts.

The Rays would get one back in the first off of Freddy Garcia on a BJ Upton RBI double. An Evan Longoria two run home run in the third put the Rays up 3-2. It was Longoria’s 10^th of the season. In the fifth Desmond Jennings and BJ Upton hit back-to-back solo home runs putting them up 5-2. They were Jennings 12^th and Uptons 18^th home runs.

Garcia went 5 1/3 gave up five runs on five hits; the loss puts Garcia at 7-6.

Joe Girardi was ejected in the top of the fourth inning by home plate umpire for arguing balls and strikes.

The Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 12-0 and now are tied for the lead in the AL East with the Yankees with the Rays only 1.5 games back.

The Yankees and the Rays will play again on Wednesday night. Hiroki Kuroda (12-10 3.04) will start for the Yankees while Matt Moore (10-8 3.58) will start for the Rays. Pregame coverage begins at 6:30, first pitch at 7:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.