Normally the three-run ditch CC Sabathia put the Yankees in during the second inning on Sunday wouldn’t be too steep to escape from.
One, it was early in the game against the Rays. Two, there was plenty of time left for the muscular lineup to tear into the Rays’ staff. Three, the Yankees were celebrating Old-Timers’ Day on Father’s Day, and Yankee Stadium was swollen with franchise history on a blistering-hot day.
Yet, five Rays pitchers handcuffed the Yankees on the way to a 3-1 victory that denied the Yankees from sweeping four from the visitors.