Rays collapse after building huge lead

by Gary Shelton on May 14, 2023

in general

Sunday, 4 a.m.

So this is what it feels like on the other side of the collapse.

The Tampa Bay Rays lost their third game in the last four Saturday afternoon, blowing a huge lead against the New York Yankees in a 9-8 defeat.

The loss felt a lot like the Rays' 8-7 win over the Yankees on May 8, when the Rays overcome a 6-0 lead with Gerrit Cole on the mound. This time, the Rays led 6-0 with unbeaten Shane McClanahan on the mound and couldn't hold it.



Content beyond this point is for members only.

Already a member? To view the rest of this column, sign in using the handy "Sign In" button located in the upper right corner of the GarySheltonSports.com blog (it's at the far right of the navigation bar under Gary's photo). Not a member? It's easy to subscribe so you can view the rest of this column and all other premium content on GarySheltonSports.com.


McClanahan gave up two two-run homer and walked four men in the outing. Aaron Judge had a pair of two-run homers in the comeback.

"I just didn't make quality pitches," McClanahan said. "The team expects it, I expect it, the fans expect it. I've got to do a better job of making quality pitches. I've got to right the ship."

The Rays scored enough runs to win, getting off to a big lead on Yandy Diaz's grand slam in the fifth. Randy Arozarena also had three RBI.

The Rays still led 6-4 after McClanahan left, but the Yankees kept scoring, either on the long ball or by Anthony Volpe's manufactured run in the sixth. Volpe reached on a. bunt, stole second, stole third and came home on a wild pitch.

For the Rays, it has been a rough road trip with four losses in six games and the loss of Drew Rasmussen to an injury.

The Rays play the Yankees again today at 1:36 p.m. at Yankee Stadium. Zach Eflih will start for the Rays against Clarke Schmidt.

Previous post:

Next post: