Yanks Go Yard Recap: Archer Outduels Nova As New York Yankees Get Shut Out

When it’s going bad, it’s going bad. The Yankees would hit balls hard and they would go right at fielders. That was the way it went as Chris Archer outdueled Ivan Nova as the Rays took game two of the series against the Yankees with a score of 1-0.

May 25, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Ivan Nova (47) against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Nova pitched his fourth straight start of seven innings while allowing three runs or less. He struck out eight and certainly pitched well enough to win. The Yankees offense continued to be the problem. Lyle Overbay singled in the fifth. Brett Gardner doubled in the sixth. Ichiro Suzuki reached on an error in the fourth. Those were the only base runners the Yankees could muster.

The Rays got the run they needed in the sixth. With one out, James Loney singled. Ben Zobrist managed to beat out a potential double play ball to keep the inning going. Zobrist would steal second and Matt Joyce walked. Kelly Johnson hit a bloop single to center to bring home Zobrist and give the Rays the run they needed.

YGY Player Of The Game: Archer

The Yankees look to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon at 1:05. Matt Moore will take on Phil Hughes.

Notes: As Ricky mentioned earlier, Travis Hafner will be placed on the DL with a strained rotator cuff and Derek Jeter will be activated to take over his spot. Jeter played a simulated game in Staten Island today and appeared to come through it well enough to play tomorrow. Alex Rodriguez turned 38 today. Archer became the first Rays pitcher to throw a complete game shutout against the Yankees.