05/07: Yankees Losing Streak Extends to 5 as Yankees Lose to Rays, 8-6
Posted by: Patrick
The Rays got on Andy Pettitte early on Thursday night, scoring two runs off the lefty in the first and third innings and putting the Yankees in a 4-0 hole.
They battled back, however, in the fourth. After a Melky Cabrera walk and a Ramiro Pena single, Jose Molina doubled Cabrera in for the team's first run. Later in the inning, Johnny Damon would double home both Pena and Molina to put the Yankees within 1.
Hideki Matsui would get that 1 with a solo home run to lead off the fifth. Unfortunately, Pettitte gave the lead right back to Tampa thanks to a solo home run hit by Ben Zobrist. It was one of four home runs that Pettitte would allow on the day.
Jose Veras would relieve Pettitte and pitch two innings, allowing an earned run while striking out 2. Down 2 with 2 outs in the bottom of the eighth, Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon staged their own mini-rally. Jeter singled and Damon homered to tie it up at 6.
Joe Girardi decided to bring in Mariano Rivera to pitch the 9th and, well, it didn't go so hot. After retiring the first hitter, Mo allowed back to back jacks by Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria. David Robertson would actually relieve Rivera to face Pat Burrell, retiring him to end the top of the 9th. That would be all the Rays needed as the Yankees went down quietly in the bottom half of the frame.
Fun fact wise, the RiverAveBlues Twitter account said that Mo had never allowed back to back home runs in a game... ever. So, there's that.
Damon was the bright spot of the day, going 4 for 5 with a double, a home run and four RBI. Jeter was the only other Yankee to have more than a hit.
Tomorrow at 7:05 PM ET, A-Rod will make his 2009 debut. CC Sabathia (1-3, 4.85) will take the hill, going against Jeremy Guthrie (2-2, 5.05).
Recap records: Patrick: 8-4, Seamus: 4-8, Andrew: 1-3.
They battled back, however, in the fourth. After a Melky Cabrera walk and a Ramiro Pena single, Jose Molina doubled Cabrera in for the team's first run. Later in the inning, Johnny Damon would double home both Pena and Molina to put the Yankees within 1.
Hideki Matsui would get that 1 with a solo home run to lead off the fifth. Unfortunately, Pettitte gave the lead right back to Tampa thanks to a solo home run hit by Ben Zobrist. It was one of four home runs that Pettitte would allow on the day.
Jose Veras would relieve Pettitte and pitch two innings, allowing an earned run while striking out 2. Down 2 with 2 outs in the bottom of the eighth, Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon staged their own mini-rally. Jeter singled and Damon homered to tie it up at 6.
Joe Girardi decided to bring in Mariano Rivera to pitch the 9th and, well, it didn't go so hot. After retiring the first hitter, Mo allowed back to back jacks by Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria. David Robertson would actually relieve Rivera to face Pat Burrell, retiring him to end the top of the 9th. That would be all the Rays needed as the Yankees went down quietly in the bottom half of the frame.
Fun fact wise, the RiverAveBlues Twitter account said that Mo had never allowed back to back home runs in a game... ever. So, there's that.
Damon was the bright spot of the day, going 4 for 5 with a double, a home run and four RBI. Jeter was the only other Yankee to have more than a hit.
Tomorrow at 7:05 PM ET, A-Rod will make his 2009 debut. CC Sabathia (1-3, 4.85) will take the hill, going against Jeremy Guthrie (2-2, 5.05).
Recap records: Patrick: 8-4, Seamus: 4-8, Andrew: 1-3.
