Recap: Rays Sweep Yankees

Jul 2, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi (28) removes starting pitcher Vidal Nuno (57) from the game against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a really bad stretch for the so-called “Bombers”. They’ve lost eight of their last ten games, including being swept by the last place Tampa Bay Rays including a 6-3 loss in today’s finale.

In Wednesday’s series finale, the Yankees struggled with runners in scoring position again, going 1-for-9. This lack of clutch offense, as well as a long home run by Sean Rodriguez, ended up costing them the game and their status as a .500 team. They are now 41-42 on the season.

If anything good came from this game, it was that Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran, both of whom have been struggling mightily, had good days. In his first at bat, which came with one out in the first inning, McCann lined a single to right field. The next batter, Beltran, singled to right field as well, moving McCann to second base. Unfortunately, both Kelly Johnson and Alfonso Soriano made outs to end the Yankee threat.

With two outs in the bottom of the third, McCann took a Jake Odorizzi fastball to deep right field for his tenth home run of the season to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead. Beltran followed with another single to right field. Brett Gardner, who has been the teams hottest hitter, went 3-5 including a home run to lead off the bottom of the first. He is truly turning into a very special player.

On the mound, Vidal Nuno was so-so, as he gave up 4 runs in 5 innings pitched but also kept the Yankees in the game. He would eventually pick up the loss. The game was lost when Shawn Kelley gave up a long two-run home run to give the Rays a 5-3 lead, which they wouldn’t lose.