New York Yankees 2012 regular season review – Part 29
After ending the four match series against Kansas City Royals on a bright note, the New York Yankees were very feeling very confident. Manager Joe Girardi was expecting his team to keep stretch their winning streak and that is exactly what the Yankees did in Game 1 of their next series against Tampa Bay Rays.
Using their home conditions to great effect, Girardi’s boys secured a narrow 5-3 in series opener at Yankee Stadium in New York to take a crucial 1-0 series lead. Starting pitcher Ivan Nova continued his excellent work on the mound as he allowed just six hits and two runs in seven effective innings, laying the foundations of an impressive Yankees’ victory.
Striking out eight Rays’ batters, he used his fastballs and sliders extremely effectively. Relief pitchers Rafael Soriano and David Robertson also made their presence felt as they combined to give up just one in a pressure situation.
"Not to write Mo's name on the top, because I do it in a certain order, was really strange for me," Girardi said after the Yankees' 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. "So that was kind of like, 'OK, he's not coming out of the bullpen.' I can look at my card as much as I want, and he's not there. I think writing out that card probably made me realize that it's different now."
"Tonight I was thinking, 'Geez, better not blow your first one,'" Robertson said. "Better not blow your first opportunity or Mo might come in here and smack me around."
Rays’ starter James Shields also had a decent time on the mound as he gave up four hits and three runs in six innings but he was unfortunate to end up on the losing side.
Raul Ibanez continued his superb form as he smacked a two run home run to right in the fourth innings to break the deadlock for his team. Outfielder Curtis Granderson also made a valuable contribution, hitting a solo home run to right in the fifth inning to extend Yankees’ lead to 3-0. Ibanez homered for the second time in the seventh to help Yankees wrap up a superb victory.
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