Yankees Fight Back to Beat Rays 6-4

It was a slow start for the New York Yankees on Sunday as they tried to take the last game of the 3-game series from the Tampa Bay Rays. On the mound for the Yankees was Ivan Nova (6-7), making his 13^th start this season after returning from Tommy John Surgery. The Rays sent Chis Archer (12-10) to the mound, whom according to Yankees coach Joe Girardi, has the best slider in baseball. “Not only does he throw hard,” Girardi said. “He might have the best slider in the game, and he knows how to use it effectively. He hold runners. He’s a very good fielder and he’s going to do all the little things right as well.

The Rays struck early when Kevin Keimaier launched Ivan Novo’s knee high curve ball to the bleachers with 2 outs and one on during the second inning. In the third inning Logan Forsythe drove in Daniel Nava to make the score 3-0 in what seemed to be a one sided game for the Rays.

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That all changed during the 6^th inning when Brian McCann drove in Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran to tie the game. Following in McCann’s footsteps, Alex Rodriguez launched a solo shot right after McCann to give the Yankees the lead for the first time during the game. The inning ended 4-3 in the Yankees favor. A

The Yankees padded their lead during the Bottom of the 7^th inning when Didi Gregorious led off with a single and advanced to second on an error by Rays catcher Rene Rivera. Then Jacoby Ellsbury drew a walk to put runners in 1^st and 2^nd base. However, Brett Gardner hit what looked to be a double play ball, but, his speed placed too much pressure on Rays 2B Logan Forsythe and his throw to 1B was wide allowing Gregorious to score.

During the 8th inning, after a 5-pitch battle, the Rays Asdrubal Cabrera launched a 98 mph fastball into the stands. The Yankees responded in kind in the bottom of the 8^th by loading the bases and scoring the final run of the game.

To close out the Rays, Joe Girardi sent in Andrew Miller in during the 9^th. As always, Miller earned outs 25 and 26 in a hurry. However, before he could close the game, the Rays once again managed to get on base. Mikie Mahtook reached on a groundball and Evan Longoria reached on a single to left field placing the tying runs on base. A wild pitch allowed Mahtook to reach third base. However, before the Rays could do any damage Brandon Guyer, pinch-hitting for Grady Sizemore struck out on a slider.

Up next for the Yankees are 3 games with the Baltimore Orioles and 4 games with the division leading Blue Jays.

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