NEW YORK — Sonny Gray said he didn't notice what was posted on the out-of-town scoreboard at Yankee Stadium, but his manager did.
A big chance to put more pressure on Boston in the AL East race. There, and then gone.
Aaron Judge hit his 51st home run for a quick lead that was squandered when Gray and the New York bullpen fell apart Thursday night in a 9-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Yankees stayed three games behind the division-leading Red Sox, routed by Houston 12-2. Each team has three games left and both are assured playoff spots — if they wind up even, the Yankees would host Boston in a tiebreaker Monday.