Yankees’ clutch hitting goes missing in loss to Rays

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Didi Gregorius grounds out to end the seventh inning of the Yankees' 2-1 loss to the Rays on Friday.ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Only because it was the Yankees against the Rays, the outcome of Friday night’s game at Tropicana Field was surprising.

However, strip down the 2-1 loss in front of 27,252 and it wasn’t so difficult to understand.

Six Rays relievers, beginning with Ryne Stanek, who worked the first inning, handcuffed a Yankees lineup that started the evening leading the majors in home runs and OPS.

CC Sabathia’s pitching was effective, but a fielding blunder helped the Rays score their second run in the fifth.

And the Yankees’ recent inability to deliver with runners in scoring…