Phelps Impressive As New York Yankees Tie Tampa

Mar 9, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher

(41) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

David Phelps is not making Joe Girardi‘s decision any easier for the fifth starter spot in the rotation. And that’s they way the New York Yankees like it. Phelps pitched five shutout innings, giving up only three hits and the Yankees were able to come back and tie the Tampa Bay Rays at three apiece.

Chris Archer was equally as impressive in a shorter outing, striking out 2 in 3.1 innings. This game was scoreless until the seventh inning when the Rays took advantage of some bad Yankee defense. Bruce Billings came in for the Yanks and immediately gave up a ground-rule double to James Loney. Sean Rodriguez laid down a bunt and thanks to Billings’ error, pinch runner Kevin Kiermaier scored. A passed ball by John Ryan Murphy allowed Rodriguez to move to third and he scored on Ryan Hanigan‘s single.

The Yanks would get one of those runs back in the bottom half. Alfonso Soriano singled and Kelly Johnson was hit by a pitch. Adam Liberatore came in and after a wild pitch advanced the runners,  Brian Roberts would then hit a sac fly to make it 2-1.

Hard-throwing Danny Burawa came in for the eighth. With one out, Dean Anna misplayed a popup which allowed Jeremy Moore to reach second base. Two batters later, Mikie Mahtook singled in Moore.

The Yanks would again get a run back in the bottom half. Jose Pirela led off with a single, went to second on a groundout and advanced to third on a single by Adonis Garcia. Garcia would steal second and the throw got away which allowed Pirela to score.

The Yankees would tie it with a 2-out rally in the ninth off Braulio Lara. Jose Gil singled. Pirela followed with a single of his own. Lara uncorked a wild pitch that allowed pinch runner Antoan Richardson to score.

After an off day, the Yankees will take on the Washington Nationals Tuesday afternoon. CC Sabathia will take on Jordan Zimmermann.