Rays vs Yankees: 3.9.15 Game Recap

The Rays are finally back on live television thanks to the YES network. Unfortunately, things didn't go the Rays way as they took the loss. Good thing that doesn't matter!

Things started off quietly as the only runner to reach base in the first was Desmond Jennings, who would also steal a base. Nathan Karns was efficient in the first, throwing 6 straight strikes to start the inning and coaxed 3 ground balls to Nick Franklin at short.

The Rays went down quickly in the 2nd, but the Yankees would not as they proceeded to score 2 runs, thanks in large part to Desmond Jennings costly error that put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Public enemy #1, Alex Rodriguez hooked a single into left that scored a runner.

Another run would score after a walk and a groundout.

but Evan Longoria would end the threat after making a nice diving stop and retiring Jacoby Ellsbury to end the inning.

Longoria would also make some nice plays from the right side of the infield today, as the Rays used the shift in full force.

Not much happened after this in the game. Nathan Karns came on for the 3rd after a lengthy 2nd inning and set down the Yankees in order, despite some hard hit line drives.

The Rays had a chance to score in the 4th after Jennings recorded his 2nd hit, followed by a line out and another basehit. But strikeouts from Steven Souza and Kevin Kiermaier ended the threat.

The Rays bullpen was impressive as Brandon Gomes, Jordan Noberto, and Ernesto Frieri pitched 3 scoreless innings. The Rays meanwhile would run themselves out of an inning in 5th after a strikem-out, throwem-out double play.

In the 7th, the Rays managed to get a runner on 3rd after Corey Brown worked a long at bat, singled, stole 2nd, then advanced to 3rd, but he would be stranded as the Rays squandered yet another opportunity.

In the bottom half, the Yankees would score 2 more times after a long rough inning for Kirby Yates.

He'd be taken out of the game after 33 pitches, with the bases loaded and 2 outs. C.J. Riefenhauser recreated his MLB debut as he came on with the bases loaded, but this time he's able to coax a groundball for the final out of the inning.

In the 8th, Diego Moreno came out throwing extremely wild as he walk Boog Powell on 4 pitches. Moreno then struck Daniel Robertson with the next pitch putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Taylor Motter would chop a ball to third, and after the force at 2nd, an error allowed Powell to score the Rays first run.

Eugenio Velez drilled a ball up the middle that scored Motter. As Motter scored, New York centerfielder extremely air mailed a throw home that hit the protection screen behind home plate. Boog Powell  made a similar throw earlier in the game.

Jake Elmore then hit a single that scored Velez making it only a 1 run game, but Corey Brown would be called out on strikes to end the threat.

In the 9th, Luke Maile came about a centimeter away from tying the game as he hit a double that bounced off the top of the wall in left center field. Hak-Ju Lee would pinch run for him with 1 out. Boog Powell was caught looking for the 2nd out, bringing Daniel Robertson up, who'd strikeout to end the game, 4-3 Yanks.

The Rays will split into 2 squads tomorrow as 1 team will stay at Port Charlotte to take on Pittsburgh in a rematch from Saturday and the other will travel to take on Boston.

Some notes:

• Kevin Cash told reporters earlier that John Jaso will start in left field tomorrow for one of the squads.
• Burch Smith will start against the Pirates, while Matt Andriese will go against the Red Sox in Split Squad action tomorrow.
• The Rays won't be back on TV again until the 13th, so be on the lookout for more videos from our Youtube channel, or here on DRaysBay.