New York Yankees 2012 regular season review – Part 55
Just Like they ended the series against the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees started their three match series against the Tampa Bay Rays on an extremely positive note. Yankees’ pitching rotation, in particular, played a big part in deciding the outcome of
the clash, shutting out the powerful Rays’ batting lineup in a game that proved to be completely one sided at the end.
Showing great composure and mental strength, the Yankees outclassed their American League East Division rivals in finer details of the game to take a vital 1-0 series lead. Starting pitcher Andy Pettitte displayed some top quality throwing skills, creating
all sorts of problems for the Rays’ batting lineup. Striking out 10 batters, the veteran right hander ensured his side had complete control of the situation.
Relief pitcher Freddy Garcia also played his part as he pitched 1.2 scoreless innings of relief, helping the Yankees complete a deserving shutout victory. Rays’ starter James Shields was unable to match Pettitte’s brilliance. He gave up seven hits and seven
runs in just five innings to take his fourth loss of the season. Relief pitcher Cesar Ramos tossed up three shutout innings but his effort was not enough to save the Rays from a humiliating series defeat.
"Whether it's a streak or it's not a streak, I just like it," Girardi said.
"I don't really try to strike guys out," Pettitte said. "I feel like I am able to keep guys off-balance. My command was really good tonight."
"We just didn't have a good night," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "We didn't play any area of the game well. I'm really looking for the next 24 hours to come around."
"We stay in the theater district when we're in town and I thought it might be good theater," Maddon said before the game. "Why not hit him fourth and have him hit a home run?"
Raul Ibanez reached first base safely on a throwing error in the first inning to put Yankees on the board. Russell martin smacked a grand slam home run in the fourth inning to give New York an impassable 6-0 lead. Outfielder Nick Swisher doubled to right
in the fifth to deny the Rays any chance of coming back into the contest.
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