Yanks Go Yard Recap: Sabathia’s Struggles Continue As New York Yankees Fall In Tampa

CC Sabathia just hasn’t been himself in May. Has he gotten a lot of support? Not really, however, he hasn’t helped his own cause either. Today, his struggles against the Rays continued. CC gave up seven runs in seven innings, as the Yankees lost to the Rays 8-3.  Sabathia is now 3-7 in his career at the Trop, and has only three wins in his 20 Yankee starts against the Rays.

May 26, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) reacts after he pitched the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Rays began the scoring in the second. Sean Rodriguez was hit by a pitch. Yunel Escobar and James Loney reached on fielder’s choices. Jose Lobaton followed with an RBI single and Sam Fuld hit a sac fly. The Rays made it 4-0 in the third, when Evan Longoria singled, and Rodriguez hit his second homer of the year.

Rodriguez was a part of another Rays’ rally in the sixth. He led off with a walk. Escobar drove him in with a double, and Loney followed with his fourth homer of the year. The Rays made it 8-0 in the eighth off newest Yankee David Huff.  Loney and Lobaton walked. Two batters later, Desmond Jennings doubled in a run.

The Yanks got all their runs in the ninth to try and make it interesting. Brett Gardner led off with his fifth homer of the year. Robinson Cano followed with a single to knock out Rays’ starter Alex Cobb. Vernon Wells would strike out but Cano moved to second on a wild pitch. After Lyle Overbay and Travis Hafner walked, David Adams brought home two with a double. Ichiro Suzuki and Jayson Nix would strike out to end the game.

YGY Player Of The Game: Rodriguez

The Subway Series begins tomorrow with two at Citi Field against the Mets. Jonathon Niese will face Phil Hughes at 7:10.

Notes: To make room for Huff on the roster, Ben Francisco was designated for assignment.  Andy Pettitte will throw a 75 pitch simulated game on Tuesday. If all goes well, he will pitch either against the Red Sox next weekend, or against the Indians the week after.