YANKEES COME UP BIG LATE; BEAT RAYS TODAY 4-3

Since its the 4th of July I figured I would try and come up with an analogy using today's Yankees win to America's Birthday.  Here's what I came up with...you remember as a kid when you or your friend would quickly light a firecracker in their hand and throw it?  But when you throw it the fuse burns and nothing happens.  You slowly walk up to the firecracker, and gently lean down to see why it didn't explode then, BANG!!! 

(pictured:  Cano smacks a two-run single in the 7th inning)

The Yankees were that firecracker for 7 innings today.  Their fuse was lit at the beginning of the game but nothing happened.  Then in the 8th inning, BANG!...the Yankees offense were patient at the plate and behind Robinson Cano's 2-run single with the bases juiced, took a 4-3 lead and held on to salvage the final game of this three game series vs. the Tampa Bay Rays.

(pictured:  David Phelps)

Today it was David Phelps who took the mound for the Yanks just trying his best to salvage the Yankees from being swept.  He did his best.  Phelps went only went 4.1 innings but surrendered just 1 run on 3 hits.  He did get himself in some jams with 3 walks but struck out 8 to put an end to any real Tampa threat.  Cody Eplley and Clay Rapada held the Rays in check and turned the ball over to Boone Logan in the 7th.  Unfortunately Logan fell into the "Carlos Pena spell".  Pena hit a towering 2-run shot to give the Rays a 3-1 lead.  It was Pena's 4th home run against the Yankees this year.  Pena has become the "David Ortiz" of the Rays against the Yanks.  Seems like the guy is going yard or knocking in a big run whenever we play them this year.  But, thankfully, the Yankees rallied to take the lead and were able to go to David Robertson in the 8th who shut down the Rays.  Then it was Rafael Soriano in the 9th.  Soriano set the Rays down went 1-2-3 to earn his 19th Save of the season in 20 tries.

Look, it was an ugly series for the Yankees in Tampa but you know they have to be happy to win today the way they did and get out of Dodge.  Up next, the Yankees head to Boston for a four game series at Fenway which begins Friday at 8:05pm.  Expect fireworks in Boston, and, speaking of fireworks, enjoy your 4th of July evening!  God Bless America!

--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer
Email: DonnieBaseball2323@gmail.com
Twitter: @MikeyBlu23

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