by Eric Sachs

Early runs and a late rally allow Tampa Bay to take game one of this three game series. James Shields would pick up his thirteenth win of the season after going eight innings only allowing three runs to score while striking out five.

Tampa Bay grabbed an early lead after Chris Gimenez singled to right scoring Jeff Keppinger in the second inning. B.J. Upton would help to extend the lead in the third inning with a solo home run to left field giving the Rays a 2-0 lead. However, the Yankees were quick to answer back.

A string of hits put together by New York including RBIs by Eric Chavez and Raul Ibanez allowed the Yankees to tie the game in the top of the fourth. Russell Martin also came to the plate and gave the Yankees their first lead of the game with an infield single scoring Ibanez from third.

In the bottom of the fifth Upton lead-off the inning with a walk, one of two issued by Sabathia today. Ben Zobrist would single and after a successful double steal by the Rays Evan Longoria was about to put the ball in play and score Upton from third tying the game, 3-3.
 
The game would stay tied all the way until there were two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Joe Maddon got tossed for arguing an out call at second base on a steal, Ryan Roberts delivered a single. Roberts would steal second and the next batter, Gimenez, delivered an RBI single giving the Rays a 4-3 lead.

The Rays crucial series against the Yankees continues tomorrow from the Trop.  Alex Cobb (8-8, 4.39 ERA) will take the hill against Freddy Garcia (7-5, 4.90 ERA) first pitch is set for 7:00 PM. Catch all the action on 620 WDAE beginning with pre-game at 6:30 PM.