Soriano's Steal Secures Yankees Win

The game was by and large an uneventful one. Ivan Nova struggled with the command of his pitches, issuing six walks which ties a career high. One of the walks were intentional in the seventh inning but even five walks is too many in one start. All of the walks aside, Nova pitched a good enough game to earn a victory but instead Joba Chamberlain Boone Logan got the win in relief after Joba gave up a one-out walk to Jose Molina in the tenth inning. Logan came in to face Jose Lobaton with Molina on base and Lobaton promptly grounded into an inning-ending double play to give the Yankees another crack at scoring a run in the eleventh inning. But going back to Nova, he allowed only two runs in 6 2/3 innings today and both runs came as a result of Evan Longoria at the plate. Longoria belted his 28th home run today, which was also his seventh homer against the Yankees this year which is the most by any player against the Yankees this season. Mark Reynolds hit seven against the Yankees as a member of the Orioles last year.

The Yankee offense finally scored more than two runs against the Rays. They scored three today, which isn't anything to write home about but if the opposing team scores less than you do it's an accomplishment. Robinson Cano continues to stay hot at the plate with a home run and an RBI double early in the game against Alex Cobb who lasted six innings due to an elevated pitch count. The Yankees didn't score again until the eleventh inning when Alfonso Soriano doubled with one out then stole third base, which took a lot of guts. Granderson then drove him in as the go-ahead run when he lifted a sac fly. The run then made way for Rivera to try and save his last ever regular season game at Tropicana Field. The middle of the Rays lineup went down 1-2-3 and Rivera earned his 38th save of the season. 

The Yankees are looking forward to their next three games against the Toronto Blue Jays above the border. The Jays snapped their seven game skid today against the Astros but the Yankees have had their numbers all season long. After a rough series in Tampa a few games in Toronto will be just what the doctor ordered. Derek Jeter will make yet another debut tomorrow night as he is expected to join the team in Toronto for the three game series before heading home for a tough home stand.