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Yankees Sabathia shuts out Rays for five innings – bullpen does the rest.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – The best pitcher in the Rays rotation in 2016 was no doubt Jake Odorizzi. Pitching in a career-high 33 games and finishing with a 10-6 record (only winning mark of the bunch), the Rays had high hopes that he would continue his dominance in 2017.
For two innings, he looked just like the 2016 version. Then the Yankees got to him in the third thanks to a 2-run bomb from Ronald Torreyes. Matt Holliday hit one high into the catwalk in left field that got away from Peter Bourjos following a Brett Gardner double to give the Yanks a 3-0 lead after three innings.
The 2016 version of C.C. Sabathia saw him post his lowest ERA (3.91) since 2012 (3.38). He looked like that version through five innings. The Rays could only muster three hits off of the 17-year veteran in that span. He would make way to the New York bullpen in the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Odorizzi gave up a solo shot to straight away center just out of the reach of a leaping Kevin Kiermaier. It was now a 4-0 lead for the Yanks with their starter out of the game.
Jumbo Diaz would make his Rays debut in relief of Odorizzi to start the seventh and retire all three batters he faced.
After a rough debut on Sunday, Austin Pruitt came into the game Tuesday night looking for a better result. A one-out double by Ellsbury turned into a 5-0 lead for the Yankees after Headley singled him home with two outs.
The eighth inning would see the Rays load the bases against Dellin Betances who came in with one out. Rickie Weeks would strike out and pinch-hitter, Logan Morrison, would ground out to end the threat.
Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, decided to go with his flame trowing closer, Aroldis Chapman, to finish off the Rays. With a 5-0 lead, Chapman carved up Brad Miller, Derek Norris, and Daniel Robertson with constant triple-digit fastballs.
The Rays would fall to 1-1 on the year, losing in shut out fashion, 5-0.
NEXT UP:
- Wednesday night, the Rays and Yankees finish their Opening Week, three-game series. First pitch is set for 7:10 as Alex Cobb takes the hill in the rubber match.
