Kuroda Once Again Lacks Run Support As Yanks Fall to Rays

Jul 1, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (18) pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

This seems to be the reoccurring theme of Hiroki Kuroda‘s season. He pitches an outstanding game, and the Yankees can’t seem to back him up with some offense. The Yankees lose their second one-run game in a row against the Rays, as they go down 2-1.

Kuroda gave it everything he had, and the Yankees couldn’t have asked for a better performance. He went eight strong innings, giving up nine hits, on two runs, while walking one, and striking out seven. Kuroda was in a pitcher’s duel with opposing starting pitcher David Price up until the sixth inning, when Kuroda surrendered a home run to James Loney.

Although the Yankees were facing an extremely respectable and challenging pitcher, the offense couldn’t pick up the slack and score some runs. This seems to be the same continuous problem, and this has really been costing them some games that they really need to win. The main highlight of the four-hit offense was Derek Jeter, as he went 2-for-4, including a double. That was the 534th double of his career, making him tied for first with Lou Gehrig on the Yankees’ all-time list.

The Yankees hope to avoid the sweep, as they face off against the Rays tomorrow at 1:05 PM. Vidal Nuno will get the start for the Yankees, as he went 5 2/3 scoreless innings in a victory over the Red Sox in his last start. Although Nuno was decent, he is still looking to improve upon his performance, as he has been shaky in his last few starts prior to that. Jake Odorizzi is going to get handed the ball for the Rays, as he pitched five innings in his last start, and took the loss against the Orioles. The Yankees didn’t do half bad when they faced him not long ago, and hope to score some runs off of him early.