The New York Yankees were unable to duplicate their walk-off success on Saturday afternoon, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The New York Yankees failed to create deja vu all over again. Less than 24 hours after earning AL East supremacy in walk-off fashion, they were unable to duplicate the feat to keep it.
A pair of solo home runs from the against the Yankees’ bullpen offset six shutout innings from Masahiro Tanaka, and the Tampa Bay Rays moved back into first place with a 2-1 victory at Yankee Stadium. Left fielder Austin Meadows hit the deciding shot in the top of the 11th frame.
Austin Meadows ain’t scared of no Bronx Ghosts ? (via @FOXSportsFL) pic.twitter.com/0IoZXHDVJ2
— 12up (@12upSport) May 18, 2019
The Yankees (27-17) were unable to drive in any runs during the afternoon through their bats. Their lone tally was scored via a wild pitch by Rays starter Blake Snell in the third inning. New York loaded the bases with one out, but they were unable to capitalize further. Aaron Hicks and Gary Sanchez each struck out to end the threat.
Despite the early struggles, Snell wound up going six innings and striking out nine while allowing six hits and the one run. Tanaka countered with his shutout frames, but he had to leave after 88 pitches after his sixth inning ended with a Yandy Diaz grounder hitting his ankle.
Here's the play where Masahiro Tanaka got hurt
(via @YESNetwork )pic.twitter.com/x5K4qzXJts
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 18, 2019
The right-hander retreated to the locker room with medical staff and was diagnosed with a right shin contusion. X-rays, however, were negative.
Tommy Kahnle took over for Tanaka in the seventh. Brandon Lowe led it off with a home run of his own, his ninth of the year. It was the first earned run Kahnle gave up since April 10.
We're all tied up Lowe. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/8u2SUeRxXJ
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 18, 2019
Zack Britton, Aroldis Chapman, and Jonathan Holder each pitched a perfect frame before Luis Cessa (L, 0-1) gave up Meadows’ game-winner. The Yankees threatened in their counter-effort, as Luke Voit led things off with a single. However, Jose Alvarado recovered to strike out Hicks and forced Sanchez into a double play to wrap things up. The Yankees mounted a comeback against Alvarado via three runs in the ninth on Friday, but he held them off for his fifth save. The double play wrapped up a tough day for Sanchez, who went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts.
Tampa Bay (26-16) reestablishes their half-game lead in the AL East with the win. The series will wrap up tomorrow afternoon (1:05 p.m. EST, YES). The Yankees’ starter has yet to be revealed, while the Rays are set to send out Charlie Morton (4-0, 2.32 ERA).
