The Tampa Bay Rays failed to gain more ground on the New York Yankees on Saturday, falling in a 5-3 contest in New York. With the loss, the Rays fall four games back of the Yankees in the AL East race, and 3.5 games behind the Orioles and Athletics for the wildcard.
James Shields went 6⅓ innings, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out four. However, Shields' and the Rays' undoing were the back to back home runs hit by Curtis Granderson and Eduardo Nunez in the third inning. Ivan Nova turn in a good effort for the Yankees, pitching six innings and allowing only two runs while striking out eight batters. Rafael Soriano earned the save.
Evan Longoria chipped in with a solo home run in the sixth inning, but other than a two run Luke Scott pinch hit single in the seventh inning, the Rays were never able to string together enough hits at a time.
Game 3 gets started at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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