Jeter, A-Rod Make History But Yanks Fall To Rays 6-4

After winning two in a row the Yankees (81-63) just could not keep the streak going losing the opening game of a three game series to the Tampa Bay Rays (78-66) by the score of 6-4. The game billed as a pitcher’s duel with C.C. Sabathia and David Price on the mound was just that until Sabathia fell apart in the fifth inning.

The Yankees got on the board first in the second inning when Steve Pearce lined a RBI single to center field scoring Russell Martin.

In the fifth inning the bottom of the Rays lineup got to Sabathia. Chris Gimenez led off with a double and Carlos Pena followed with a walk. Elliot Johnson singled, scoring Gimenez tying the game at 1. The next hitter Desmond Jennings laced a single to center field scoring Pena, putting the Rays up 2-1. Later in the inning Evan Longoria came up with the bases loaded and no one out and grounded into a double play, scoring Johnson, putting the Rays up 3-1.

In the top of the fifth Curtis Granderson lifted a solo home run to right center field off of Price. It was Granderson’s 38^th home run of the season.

Price went seven innings gave up two runs on five hits and struck out six.

In the seventh Ben Zobrist drove in the Rays fourth run with a RBI single off of Sabathia. In the eighth B.J Upton drilled a 0-2 pitch from Cody Eppely over the left field wall putting the Rays up 5-2. It was Upton’s 23^rd home run of the season.

Sabathia went 6 2/3 gave up four runs on six hits and struck out three.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Alex Rodriguez drilled a two run home run off of Tampa Bay reliever Joel Peralta. The home run was A-Rod’s 18^th of the season. He also passed Lou Gehrig for 9^th on the all-times run scored list with 1,889.

Derek Jeter passed Willie Mays for 10^th place on the all-time hits list with his single off of Price in the fifth inning. It was career hit number 3,284 for the Captain; ironically he also got his 3,000^th career hit off of Price last July.  Jeter finished the game 2-4.

The Yankees will play the Rays again on Saturday afternoon. James Shields (14-8 3.71) starts for the Rays while Ivan Nova (11-7 4.92) gets the start for the Yankees. Pregame coverage begins at 3:30, first pitch at 4:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.