New York Yankees Recap: Rays Down Yankees 6-3

The New York Yankees (79-65) dropped the second game of a three game set against the Tampa Bay Rays (70-74) 6-3 Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.

A go-ahead, two-run home run by Nick Franklin off Nick Rumbelow in the sixth inning gave the Rays a 4-3 lead that they would not relinquish. Franklin entered the game at shortstop in the fifth inning after Asdrubal Cabrera left due to injury. The Rays tacked on two more runs in the eighth off Bryan Mitchell, courtesy of a two-out single to right field by J.P. Arencibia.

The Yankees made things interesting in the ninth after a pinch-hit single by Dustin Ackley and an error by Rays’ first baseman James Loney, both with two outs. Brett Gardner came to the plate representing the tying run, but flew out to left field to end the ballgame.

Despite the recently discovered bone bruise on his left knee, Alex Rodriguez put the Yankees on the board first with an opposite-field solo home run in the top of the first inning. It was home run number 32 for A-Rod on the year. However, Tampa Bay answered back quickly in the bottom of the frame. Logan Forsythe plated the Rays first run of the evening with an RBI single to right field.

In the top of the second, the Rays took a 2-1 lead when a throwing error by Brian McCann allowed Mikie Mahtook to score after he stole third base. McCann’s throw to third was low, and squeaked by Chase Headley, allowing Mahtook to come home.

Gregory Bird gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead in the fourth with a two-run blast to straightaway center field. The rookie’s sixth long ball of the season marked the final time the Yankees would lead on the night.

The Yankees had an opportunity to tie the game in the top of the seventh. With a man on second, Gardner drove a ball deep into the left-center field gap, but it was hauled in by Kevin Kiermaier.

Adam Warren gave up two runs and six hits in four innings of work in his return to the Yankees starting rotation. It was Warren’s first start since June 25.

Joe Girardi needed to use six other relievers after Warren was pulled, including James Pazos, Rumbelow, Chasen Shreve, Branden Pinder, Mitchell and Chris Martin.

Rumbelow was charged with the loss after giving up Franklin’s go-ahead homer. He surrendered two runs on three hits in an inning of work. Mitchell also allowed two runs on three hits in his two-thirds of an inning of action.

With the win, Jake Odorizzi improves to 8-8 on the season for the Rays, while Rumbelow’s record drops to 1-1. Brandon Gomes recorded his first career save for Tampa Bay in the win.

Despite the Toronto Blue Jays also losing 3-2 to the Atlanta Braves, the Yankees remain three games back of the Blue Jays in the AL East. The Bombers will look to take the rubber game tomorrow night when they send Luis Severino (3-3, 3.35 ERA) to the mound against Chris Archer (12-11, 2.95 ERA) for the Rays.

ICYMI: Rays Down Yankees 6-3

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