The Tampa Bay Rays (43-29) fell to 1.5 games behind the Yankees (44-27) in the AL East chase with a 3-0 loss at Yankee Stadium on Monday evening.
Masahiro Tanaka (5-5, 3.23) was masterful against the Rays in this outing, going for a complete game shutout victory. In his nine innings, he allowed just two hits while striking out ten and walking one against a Rays team that was never able to get a runner past first base. On the offensive side, the Yankees got the all they would need when DJ LeMahiu blasted a two run bomb off Yonni Chirinos in the third inning to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Cameron Maybin added a solo shot in the fifth and that would be all the offense New York would need to secure the win.
Yonni Chirinos (7-3, 3.00) pitched seven innings allwoingChirinos (7-3, 3.00) allowed just the three runs while taking the loss in a good outing which saw the offense behind him not be able to come through with any support. Jake Faria and Adam Kolarek combined to close out the game for the Rays, who fell a game and a half behind the Yankees in the American League East standings.
The Rays and Yankees meet in game two of their three game series on Tuesday night - Ryne Stanek will be the opener for the Rays, and battle J.A. Happ for New York. First pitch Tuesday night is scheduled for just after 7 PM - hear complete pregame coverage, beginning with Steve Carney and the Inside Pitch at 6 on 95.3 WDAE and AM 620, your home of the Rays.
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