ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- At least Joe Girardi didn't have to watch.
With bench coach Rob Thomson taking over for the absent Girardi, the Yankees couldn't outlast the Rays, falling 5-4, at Tropicana Field on Friday night.
Longtime Yankee killer Evan Longoria provided the crushing blow -- a two-out single to left field that brought home Derek Norris from second base. Brett Gardner's throw didn't have a chance. It was the go-ahead run and it came off reliever Tyler Clippard.
Longoria finished with four hits, a career high. He started the day with a lifetime .