James Shields didn't turn in his sharpest outing Saturday, giving up four earned in 6⅓ innings in the Rays' 5-3 loss to the Yankees. New York starter Ivan Nova didn't skip a beat in his return from the DL, allowing only two runs and four hits while striking out eight over six innings.
Yankees Beat Rays 5-3, Even Series
Ivan Nova out-dueled James Shields Saturday in his first start following his stint on the disabled list.
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The Yankees jumped out to an early lead when Curtis Granderson blasted a two-run bomb to the right field stands in the bottom of the second. Eduardo Nunez would build on that lead with a home run in the very next at bat.
New York would extend their lead to four with a Derek Jeter RBI single in the fifth but the Rays would get one back just a half inning later thanks to an Evan Longoria solo shot, his 12th of the season.
In the seventh, things would get interesting when a Luke Scott single brought home Ben Francisco and Ryan Roberts. But in the eighth, the Yankees would get one back off an Alex Rodriguez RBI single, giving Rafael Soriano enough breathing room to come in and close out the game.
New York will send Hiroki Kuroda (13-10 3.17 ERA) to the bump on Sunday as they look the steal the series from Matt Moore (10-10 3.68 ERA) and the Rays.
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