Friday, 2 a.m.
The Tampa Bay Rays found an old nemesis in New York.
Once again, they are swinging and missing.
The Rays struck out 15 times Thursday night in a 3-2 loss to the New York Yankees, including a crucial sequence in the top of the eighth inning. With runners on first and third and no one out, the Rays faced New York's Dellin Betances. Betances got both Kevin Kiermaier and Evan Longoria to strike out looking.
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"He's one of a handful of pitchers you can totally understand his success," said Rays' manager Kevin Cash.
After that, the Rays went on to lose their third straight, evening their season record to 5-5 after being swept by the Yankees. Starting pitcher Luis Severino struck out 11.
Aaron Hicks hit two home runs and drove in all three runs for the Yankees. He had a two-run homer in the seventh off Xavier Cedeno for the winning runs.
The Rays had trouble making contact the entire night. Kevin Kiermaier, Steven Souza Jr., Brad Miller and Daniel Robertson all struck out three times.
Tampa Bay starting pitcher Matt Andriese threw well, allowing only one earned run on five hits through six innings.
The Rays now travel to Boston for tonight's game, which features Chris Archer against Rick Porcello.
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