06/06: Rivera Falters in Another Tie Game, Yankees Lose 9-7
Posted by: Andrew
Mariano Rivera allowed four runs (three earned) in the top of the ninth inning in the Yankees 9-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday afternoon. This game immediately after the Yankees came back to tie the game at 5 in the bottom of the eighth and before the Yankees scored two in the bottom of the ninth. Obviously, the damage had already been done.
Unlike the last time Rivera struggled in a tie game against the Yankees (Rivera gave up two home runs), the Rays kept their damage in the park. Ben Zobrist led off with a triple and scored on a single, B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford also had RBI singles, and another run scored on an error.
Mark Teixeira hit a two-run, no-out double in the ninth to halve the lead, but Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano couldn't even move him over. Old friend Randy Choate retired Cano for his third save of the season.
The Yankees gave CC Sabathia a two-run lead by the end of the fourth inning, but he gave the runs back in the top of the fifth. Zobrist led off with a home run and Joe Dillon reached third after a single and two-base throwing error by Johnny Damon. He would score on a sacrifice fly.
After the Yankees took a 3-2 lead (on one of three of Dioner Navarro's throwing errors), Sabathia gave up a three-run home run to Willy Aybar.
For a while, David Price and Sabathia were the pitchers of record. Price only gave up two hits over 5 2/3 innings, but the five walks he allowed drove up his pitch count and contributed to his early departure. Sabathia gave up five earned runs (the most since April 22) and was done after eight innings.
Matt Garza and Joba Chamberlain will start tomorrow afternoon.
Recap records: Patrick: 16–7, Seamus: 12–11, Andrew: 4–5.
Andrew Fletcher regularly blogs about the Yankees at Scott Proctor's Arm.
Unlike the last time Rivera struggled in a tie game against the Yankees (Rivera gave up two home runs), the Rays kept their damage in the park. Ben Zobrist led off with a triple and scored on a single, B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford also had RBI singles, and another run scored on an error.
Mark Teixeira hit a two-run, no-out double in the ninth to halve the lead, but Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano couldn't even move him over. Old friend Randy Choate retired Cano for his third save of the season.
The Yankees gave CC Sabathia a two-run lead by the end of the fourth inning, but he gave the runs back in the top of the fifth. Zobrist led off with a home run and Joe Dillon reached third after a single and two-base throwing error by Johnny Damon. He would score on a sacrifice fly.
After the Yankees took a 3-2 lead (on one of three of Dioner Navarro's throwing errors), Sabathia gave up a three-run home run to Willy Aybar.
For a while, David Price and Sabathia were the pitchers of record. Price only gave up two hits over 5 2/3 innings, but the five walks he allowed drove up his pitch count and contributed to his early departure. Sabathia gave up five earned runs (the most since April 22) and was done after eight innings.
Matt Garza and Joba Chamberlain will start tomorrow afternoon.
Recap records: Patrick: 16–7, Seamus: 12–11, Andrew: 4–5.
Andrew Fletcher regularly blogs about the Yankees at Scott Proctor's Arm.
Ron Cerce wrote:
Dear Yankees,
My name is Ron I'm 53 years old and I love this years personel more then any others in the past. About todays game: I'm not sure what happened to protesting games. I do remember years ago Billy Martin and others protesting not just bad calls but blatently bad calls on purpose or due to prejudice. When Matsui got called out by 3rd base umpire who had hatred in his eyes and the vicious way he called him out, the replay clearly showed he only took the bat of his shoulder. Not one so-called Yankee announcer had any protest in a game where we are rallying with 2 men on and 2 out, it is without question a call that needs to be addressed. By the way I am white, italian descent, no Japanese heritage. It's about time that we look into some of the very bad calls. Some of these calls are game changing and are overlooked by players, managers and staff, with fear of fine. When I see the Yankee roster, I see no color, I see no race, I only see a bunch of good, hard working, 110 percent players that are up against injuries, Yankee haters and good ole boy umpiring. Notice the change in the umpiring after the Yankees scored the 2 runs in the 9th. Some of the balls were 4 inches off the ground. Maybe it' time we start crying and complaining. Seems like complaining by the Rays on a call that turned out to be correct shifted the umpiring in their favor. Girardi needs to become more respected and take some chances for his hard working players. When you are right...COMPLAIN. If you don't it will never even out. I honestly believe that even the home plate umpire was intimidated by Rays management and good ole boy 3rd base umpire. Just look at his face when he calls Hedeki out. That should say it all. Look forward to more comments by me, I am totally honest, if we lose fairly it may hurt by we accept it, especially when we give it are all. Could you imagine if we had a few good confident relievers. Remember both of our 8th inning guys are out hurt. Thank you.