Hechavarria had two hits against Yankees./CARMEN MANDATO
Thursday, 2 a.m.
The Tampa Bay Rays, evidently, are having trouble with not being in contention for the wild-card game.
The Rays, eliminated Tuesday night, struggled through a game that didn't quite matter Wednesday night, losing 6-1 to the New York Yankees. Since 2008, the Rays have played in only 48 games while out of contention. They played 16 games out of contention last season and lost 11.
It was much the same against the Yankees, as the team absorbed its second straight five-run loss in a game that assures the Rays will finish with a losing record.
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Andriese ran into trouble in the fifth inning./
Matt Andriese pitched well for four innings, but in the bottom of the fourth, he gave up a two-run double to Aaron Judge. In the next inning, New York's Starling Castro, Greg Bird and Aaron Hicks all homered, and the Yankees were off and running.
Tampa Bay managed only five hits — two of them by Adeiny Hechavarria. Hechavarria also had a home run for the Rays' only score.
Tampa Bay is now 1-8 at Yankee Stadium this year. “We're going to have to learn to win in this park to be successful,” said Rays' manager Kevin Cash.
Cash also pointed out the improvement needed by young relievers such as Ryan Stanek and Jose Alvarado,
"We've got to get these guys where they're throwing strikes more consistently," Cash said.With the stuff they're throwing, the innings shouldn't be that hard to work through."
The Rays wrap up their season series against New York today when Jake Faria pitches against Sonny Gray in a 7:05 p.m. game.
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