It’s getting down to the wire for the Tampa Bay to clinch a playoff spot as they faced the American League East Champions tonight, the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field in St.Petersburgh, Florida.
Going into tonight’s game, the Rays are just one game behind the Boston Red Sox in the American League wild card standings.
The Yankees opened the scoring at the top of the first inning when Robinson Cano hit a solo home run
The Yankees went up 2-0 at the top of the third inning when Cano drove in Brett Gardner with a RBI double.
The Rays answered back in the bottom of the inning. B.J. Upton tied the game up with a two run double, driving in Reid Brignac and Desmond Jennings.
The Rays weren’t done yet. Johnny Damon drove in Upton with a single into right field later in the third inning, giving Tampa Bay a 3-2 lead.
The very next inning, the Rays increased their lead to 4-2 with a solo home run by Kelly Shoppach.
Things got even worse for the Yankees in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Yankee catcher, Russell Martin was ejected for arguing with the home plate umpire.
With bases loaded, with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Damon hit a fly ball to right field and drove in Upton again.
Ray’s starting pitcher, James Shields shut the Yankees down in order at the top of the eighth inning. He (Shields) came very close to getting the complete game at the top of the nineth inning, but was pulled with one out to go.
Relief pitcher, Kyle Farnsworth got Yankee’s batter, Jesus Montero to ground out to third to give the Rays a much needed 5-2 win.
With the win, along with the 6-3 loss to Boston tonight by the Baltimore Orioles, the Rays are now tied with the Red Sox in the wild card race.
Other game notes: W:Shields (16-12, 2.82 ERA2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4Ks.
L: Hector Noesi (2-2, 4.47 ERA) 2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1K
Upton: 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBIS.
Share your experience in medical health