Sonny Gray Has Stellar Start But New York Can't Give Him Run Support As They Get Beat By Tampa Bay

If the offense doesn't score runs than the starting pitcher for that team is going to lose the game it's as simple as that.

Since Sonny Gray was traded to New York at the July 31st deadline from Oakland the New York offense hasn't been able to back him up every time he goes out. After his win in Baltimore, the trend started again of the offense not being able to score continued against Tampa Bay Tuesday. Why is the offense able to backup other pitchers in the New York rotation but not Sonny Gray?

 The Rays enjoyed their temporary home at Citi Field on Tuesday night, even if most of the fans were rooting against them. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253883370/rays-hit-2-homers-to-beat-yanks-at-citi-field/

And even though most of those fans were hoping the Yankees would take another step toward the postseason, the Rays turned the energy in their favor in a 2-1 win. Five Rays pitchers combined on a three-hitter, and Adeiny Hechavarria hit a tie-breaking home run in the eighth inning, ruining Sonny Gray's best start as a Yankee and giving the Rays what they hope will be an important win. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253883370/rays-hit-2-homers-to-beat-yanks-at-citi-field/

"It's a huge win," said Rays reliever Steve Cishek. "It almost felt like a playoff atmosphere." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253883370/rays-hit-2-homers-to-beat-yanks-at-citi-field/

The loss dropped the Yankees four games behind the Red Sox in the American League East, but New York still holds a three-game lead over the Twins for the top AL Wild Card spot. The Rays need wins much more desperately; they are four games behind the Twins for the second Wild Card spot (with many other teams also involved).

"Their pitchers did a good job of making sure that we couldn't put runs on the board," said Yankees rookie Clint Frazier. "But what can you do? It's difficult, but [Gray] pitched a heck of a game." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253883370/rays-hit-2-homers-to-beat-yanks-at-citi-field/

This three-game series was relocated from Tropicana Field because of Hurricane Irma, and Yankees fans took advantage of $25 tickets to support their team. With the upper deck closed, a crowd of 21,024 filled the lower sections of the ballpark and made plenty of noise, almost all of it in favor of the team wearing road grays. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253883370/rays-hit-2-homers-to-beat-yanks-at-citi-field/

Rays manager Kevin Cash managed the game as a "must win," pulling starter Blake Snell after just five-plus innings and 83 pitches. Cash wanted the right-handed Cishek against the strong right-handed hitters in the middle of the Yankees' batting order, and his strategy worked. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253883370/rays-hit-2-homers-to-beat-yanks-at-citi-field/

Gray allowed a home run to Kevin Kiermaier on the first pitch he threw, then didn't allow another run until Hechavarria's home run with one out in the eighth. He went the distance for the sixth time in his career, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out nine. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253883370/rays-hit-2-homers-to-beat-yanks-at-citi-field/

Anytime you lose it's tough to swallow, no matter how it happens," Gray said. "I just hope we can come out tomorrow and win the series. Anytime we lose a game, it's not a fun feeling." "accordingtohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253883370/rays-hit-2-homers-to-beat-yanks-at-citi-field/

The Rays had a rally brewing in the fifth inning, as Wilson Ramos stroked a one-out double and moved to third base on Brad Miller's single to left field. Gray didn't buckle, striking out Hechavarria in a five-pitch battle before whiffing Kiermaier on an 84.9-mph slider, pinning the runners aboard. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253883370/rays-hit-2-homers-to-beat-yanks-at-citi-field/

"You saw him really get nasty there," Cash said." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253883370/rays-hit-2-homers-to-beat-yanks-at-citi-field/

Hechavarria finished a home run shy of the cycle in Monday's 5-1 loss to the Yankees at Citi Field, flying out to deep right field in his final at-bat. The wait was worth it, as he launched a blast that the Rays needed more in this game. Hechavarria struck out in his first two at-bats against Gray, but connected on the first pitch he saw in the eighth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253883370/rays-hit-2-homers-to-beat-yanks-at-citi-field/

"I wanted to hit it hard," Hechavarria said. "I was trying too hard to hit it hard [the first two at-bats]. I was going out of my normal swing. Thank God I just put a hard swing on it [in the eighth]." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/253883370/rays-hit-2-homers-to-beat-yanks-at-citi-field/

With the loss, New York dropped to 78-66 and is now four games back of Boston who is leading the American League East with a record of 82-62. Meanwhile Tampa Bay improved to 72-74 on the season.

New York and Tampa Bay will finish up their three game series at Citi Field this afternoon. Jaime Garcia who has a record of 5-9 with a 4.43 earn run average. Garcia hasn't pitched since Aug. 30th after having his turn in the rotation skipped. In that start against the Indians, he allowed one run on six over five innings. He will go up against Tampa Bay's Chris Archer who has a record of 9-9 with a 4.00 earn run average. Archer had a perplexing start Friday when he took the loss vs the Redsox, who scored eight runs despite the righty showing a quality fastball and breaking ball. For his three -plus innings Archer allowed 11-20 Sox he faced to reach base. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-rays/2017/09/13/492279#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492279

First pitch is set for 1:10 pm. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-rays/2017/09/13/492279#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492279