New York's Chances Of Winning The American League East Diminish As Tampa Bay Wins The Finale
It seems like every time New York is getting close to chasing down their rival Boston who is leading the division they can't get over the hump.
Thursday at Yankee Stadium New York's hopes was diminished of doing so because although they took the series from Tampa Bay they couldn't sweep them.
Wilson Ramos' go-ahead two-run homer as part of a seven-run fifth inning helped the Rays rally for a 9-6 victory Thursday night at Yankee Stadium, averting a series sweep while all but nixing the Yankees' hopes of securing the American League East title. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
Despite Aaron Judge's American League-leading 51st home run, the Yankees' elimination number in the division was reduced to one, meaning the next the next Red Sox win or Yankees loss will hand the AL East to Boston. The Yanks would then play the Twins in the AL Wild Card Game on Tuesday in New York. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
"It's frustrating because we had a chance to pick up a game," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Now it's three [back] with three to go. There's still a lot of things that can happen, but it's frustrating." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
The Yankees will have an opportunity to put the loss behind them quickly because they open their final series of the season on Friday at 1:10 p.m. ET vs. the Blue Jays. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
Brett Gardner and Judge hit back-to-back homers off Tampa Bay starter Jake Faria to open the bottom of the first. Greg Bird greeted Chih-Wei Hu with a fourth-inning blast as the Yankees built an early 4-1 lead behind Sonny Gray, who held the Rays to a Corey Dickerson's career-high 26th homer through the first four innings. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
Gray unraveled in the fifth, uncorking a run-scoring wild pitch, and Gary Sanchez committed his Major League-leading 16th passed ball ahead of Ramos' two-run homer. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
"That was a good day today," said Ramos, who was robbed of a grand slam by Aaron Hicks in Tuesday's game. "I got a little bit scared with [center-fielder Jacoby Ellsbury] stopped and jumped. But finally, I get that one." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
The seven-run inning equaled the Rays' season-high, also done May 14 against Boston. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
"That was a pretty impressive inning on our part," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "I think we batted around, so a lot of people played a huge role. I thought the bullpen came in and did a nice job. We got big hits from a lot of people." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
Gray was charged with six earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, absorbing his seventh loss in 11 starts since being acquired by New York. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
Obviously, I didn't throw that many strikes," Gray said. "Anytime you walk five guys, you're fighting yourself a little bit and it all seemed to catch up with me in the fifth." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
Peter Bourjos belted a two-run triple off Jonathan Holder as part of the big frame, and Trevor Plouffe cracked a pinch-hit solo blast off Chasen Shreve in the sixth. Hu pitched an inning for his first big league victory. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
Hicks hit a pinch-hit, ninth-inning homer for the Yankees, who lost for just the second time in 13 home games. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
It was a rough night for Sanchez, who was hit in the neck by a bounced curveball and drilled behind the left shoulder while batting. The most costly sequence came in the fifth, as Gray uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Mallex Smith to score Tampa Bay's second run, with Dickerson advancing to third base on Sanchez's throwing error. With Lucas Duda batting, Sanchez was then charged with a passed ball that let Dickerson score. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
"I think he's played pretty well. There were a lot of balls he had to block tonight," Girardi said. "And there were a couple that got by him, and that's going to happen. I feel good about his defense. I feel good about the progress he has made. Will he get better as time goes on? Absolutely. But I think he's made a lot of progress." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
The Yankees threatened to strike back in the bottom of the fifth against Tommy Hunter, as Gardner worked a leadoff walk and Sanchez was hit by a pitch with one out. After a fielder's choice, Starlin Castro legged out a run-scoring infield single, but Hunter recovered to fan Bird on a foul tip. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
"That was fun. That was very exciting for our team. We never hung our heads down. Just keep your head up. Keep working. Have good at-bats. And that's how we win games." -- Ramos, on the seven-run fifth "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
Judge is just the third player in Major League history age 25 or younger to compile 125 runs scored and 125 walks in a season. Judge joined some select company: Babe Ruth did it in 1920, while Ted Williams did it in 1941 and '42. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
The Rays have allowed back-to-back homers to start the game three times this season. Joining Faria in the troika are Chris Archer (Sept. 2 at White Sox) and Alex Cobb (May 23 vs. the Angels). "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/256588124/yankees-al-east-title-plans-dented-by-rays/
With the loss, New York dropped to 89-70 on the season and is now 3.0 games back of Boston who is leading the American League East with a record of 92-67 after their 12-2 loss to Houston Thursday.
New York will now host Toronto as they open up a three-game series starting Friday.
Right-hander Joe Biagini will start the opener for Toronto. He has a record of 3-12 with a 5.34 earn run average. Biagini's up and down season continued in his last start, The right-hander looked strong early, but he lost the zone in the middle innings and left with three runs allowed, all on a home run, over five innings with four walks. He will oppose New York right-hander Masahiro Tanaka who has a record of 12-12 with a 4.94 earn run average. Tanaka has struggled in two of his last three outings, permitting seven earned runs to the Rangers and Blue Jays. He served up three homers in a Sept. 22 start at Rogers Centre. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/blue-jays-vs-yankees/2017/09/29/492498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492498
Will Masahiro Tanaka have a good start and not serve up home runs like he did in his last outing against Toronto at the Rogers Centre? Will the Toronto offense be able to get their offense going against him? Will the New York offense be able to get their offense going against Joe Biagini? Will New York be able to gain ground in the American League East?
First pitch is set for 1:05 pm. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/blue-jays-vs-yankees/2017/09/29/492498#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=492498