Tampa Bay Rays 3, New York Yankees 0

(Sports Network) - James Shields tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings to help the Tampa Bay Rays take a 3-0 win over the New York Yankees in the rubber match of a three-game set from Tropicana Field.

Shields (10-9) gave up four hits, struck out 11, and walked one to pick up the win for the Rays, who have won eight of nine to move within one game of the AL East-leading Yankees. Rafael Soriano recorded his 30th save of the season.

Carl Crawford and Kelly Shoppach each had an RBI for the victors.

New York third baseman Alex Rodriguez was not in the starting lineup, but he did come on as pinch-hitter in the seventh. He struck out, though, and remains stuck at 599 homers for his career (ha ha!) 

From the enemy:

The Rays outplayed the Yankees in every aspect of the game today. Tip of the hat to the Rays. James Shields was absolutely nasty in the Rays victory.

Unfortunately, the Rays remain behind the Yankees in the AL East division race.

A-Rod Not Starting

Alex Rodriguez in out of the starting lineup for the Yankees against the Rays today. He may not get a chance to hit #600 at Tropicana Field.

Yankees Come Back, Come Back, Come Back, And Win

In his first start since his no-hitter, Matt Garza pitched well, going seven strong innings while striking out nine, walking one, and only letting up five hits.

The problem was, two of those five hits were homeruns, including one two-run homerun. On each occasion, those homeruns allowed the Yankees to come back and tie the game up.

Read more at DRaysBay: Rays Lose 5-4 as Yankees Slug Three Homeruns

In-Game Update: Matt Joyce Homers, Rays Up 4-3 On Yankees

Matt Joyce, he of the 3-run home run to give the Rays a 3-2 Victory the yesterday, powered a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Rays a 4-3 lead over the New York Yankees.

The ball ricocheted off the C-support ring high above the field of play.  After the contact, the ball dropped into the outfield stands.  

Either way, the Rays take the lead.

Rays Defeat Yankees 3-2, Take Opening Game of Series

Friday night’s have been a pain in the side of the Tampa Bay Rays since May, the last time they had won a game at the end of the week.

That streak was snapped tonight as Wade Davis recorded his 9th win of the season. Matt Joyce hit a 3 run homer in the 7th inning to give the Rays the lead. Rafael Soriano pitched a flawless 9th inning to record his 29th save of the season.

In-Game Update: Rays Lead Yankees 3-2, Bottom Of Seventh

Matt Joyce hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Rays a 3-2 lead over the New York Yankees. Rays starting pitcher Wade Davis has worked 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts.

SERIES: New York Yankees At Tampa Bay Rays (3 Game Series)

WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
WHEN: July 30 - August 1
COVERAGE: DraysBay, Rays Index, Pinstripe Alley

It's only been a week since the last go around by the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees are set to confront one another once again. This time before a sold-out Tropicana Field for a weekend series between AL East titans.

The series plays with the on-going pennant race looming over both teams, but also with the drama of Yankee 3rd baseman Alex Rodriguez looking for his 600th career home run... And it sits int he shadow of the 2010 Major League Baseball trade deadline that could affect the makeup of either teams roster (ror both).

The entire series is sold out at the Trop. A first for the Rays. They also enter the series with a six game winning streak, capped by Matt Garza's no-hitter on Monday night. Sadly, the Rays also open this series on a Friday night. The team has not won a Friday night game since early May and is