Rays 3, Yankees 0: Rays Sweep Yankees As Girardi, Lineup Struggle

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 3-0 today, sweeping the opening series of the 2012 MLB season.

Many Yankees fans will scream for everyone to be traded, released, and fired in fits of outrage and worry, but the reality is the Yankees are only 0-3. That's not the toughest record to overcome.

Joe Girardi made several puzzling decisions once again, including playing Raul Ibanez in right field. Ibanez misplayed a fly ball to right, allowing Matt Joyce to hit an RBI "triple." Girardi also brought in Boone Logan and allowed him to face a right handed hitter, Jeff Keppinger, who hit a home run. Finally, Girardi pinch-hit Eric Chavez for Chris Stewart in the 7th inning with the Yankees down three and no runners on, forcing Russell Martin to enter the game on his day off. Brilliant.

Phil Hughes looked alright in his first start of the season. Hughes' main problem was his high pitch count, which caused him to only last 4.2 IP. Hughes gave up two earned runs, and struck out five.

The Yankees lineup once again hit the ball hard, but this time repeatedly hit it right at fielders. Just bad luck on that front, but Hellickson did look solid as well.

David Phelps made his MLB debut with runners on first and second and one out in the bottom of the eighth inning and was terrific, striking out a batter and getting the next batter to ground out to second to end the inning.

Hopefully the Yankees luck improves for their next series against the Baltimore Orioles, but until then DO NOT PANIC!

Comment of the Game: Kevin L. on Michael Kay.