ST. PETERSBURG (620 WDAE) -- Chris Archer worked into the seventh, but a three-run second inning proved to be too much to overcome as the Tampa Bay Rays could not finish off a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees, with New York salvaging a 3-2 decision in Sunday's finale at Tropicana Field.
After Archer worked out of a jam in the top of the first caused by a throwing error by Tim Beckham, the Rays put a run on the board in the bottom of the inning as Corey Dickerson singled with one out, and Evan Longoria drew a walk. Gary Sanchez then tried to pick off Longoria at first base, but threw the baseball down the right field line, allowing Dickerson to score from second.
However, Archer was not able to put up a shutdown inning, as Jacoby Ellsbury led off the second with a double, scoring on an RBI single by Didi Gregorius two batters later, and Gardner broke the tie with two out with his eighth home run of the year that just tucked into the first row of seats in right.
Sabathia held the lead through five innings, though he did allow a solo homer to Derek Norris to cut the deficit to 2-0, but the Rays best chance to tie the game came when Chad Green came in to relief Sabathia in the sixth after Dickerson singled to start the inning. Longoria lined a blast destined for the right-centerfield wall, but Aaron Judge made a diving catch to rob Longoria of extra bases and double up Dickerson.
Tampa Bay would get just one other opportunity to tie the game, but pinch-hitter Logan Morrison flew out to left field to strand Kevin Kiermaier at third base to end the seventh.
The loss drops Tampa Bay back to .500 at 23-23 on the year.
The Rays welcome the Los Angeles Angels to Tropicana Field to begin a four-game series Monday, with Jake Odorizzi (3-2, 3.16 ERA) taking on J.C. Ramirez (3-3, 3.97 ERA) in the opener. First pitch Monday evening is set for 7:10, with coverage on WDAE beginning at 6:00 with The Inside Pitch.