Rays 3, Yankees 2: Kiermaier, Cabrera, Push Rays Past Yanks

Even though he only lasted 4.2 innings Saturday afternoon, Matt Moore looked like his old self in the Rays 3-2 win over the Yankees. His command, which was his main issue since returning from Tommy John Surgery, seems to have been fixed during the few weeks he was at Durham. He only walked two and kept the ball around the plate the entire game. Kevin Cash called his effort "outstanding" and praised the way he kept pounding the strikezone.

Moore only got into trouble in the fifth inning, allowing a leadoff walk to John Ryan Murphy who then scored on a double to left--center by Didi Gregorious. A pair of groundouts would give the Yankees another run and Moore would then be removed from the game after a walk to Chris Davis. If the batter had been left handed, or not named Alex Rodriguez, I think Moore would have stayed in, but clinging to a one run lead and making his first start in a few weeks, Cash made the correct call. After walking Rodriguez to put the tying run on second, Brandon Gomes got Carlos Beltran to fly out to center.

The pitching MVP of the day goes to Xavier Cedeno. The lefty started the sixth inning and threw 1.2 innings, walking just one and striking out four. That lowered his ERA to 2.16 and he's now struck out more than a batter per inning this season. Alex Colome recorded the last out of the seventh inning, but nearly blew the game in the eighth. Colome has been excellent in the relief role, but after recording two quick outs he allowed two singles and a walk to load the bases with a one run lead. He was fortunate to get out of the inning unscathved. Gregorious smoked a 2-1 fastball that would have absolutely given the Yankees the lead had it not been hit directly to Logan Forsythe. Brad Boxberger threw a perfect ninth to pick up his AL leading 34th save.

At the plate the Rays took the lead in the second on a two out single to right field from Kevin Kiermaier that scored Logan Forsythe, who had doubled earlier in the inning. What turned out to be the winning runs were scored the following inning on another two out single to right field, this time by Asdrubal Cabrera with the bases loaded.

Evan Longoria, who has missed just two games over the past three seasons, was removed after being hit with a pitch on the right elbow. Thankfully he said his issue was gripping the ball and he expects to play Sunday. Richie Shaffer replaced him in the lineup and walked twice. Play. Him. More.