ST. PETERSBURG – Does close count for something? Or kind of close?
Because that’s about all the Rays can cling to in their losing battle to try to find a way to beat the Yankees.
Friday, they tried what they could to at least temporarily end the mastery the Yankees have had over them.
They rapped six hits and tagged Masahiro Tanaka, their chief tormentor, with four runs, which were three more than they got off him in three previous outings. They came from behind twice. They got an actual key hit, from Kevin Kiermaier. with the bases loaded, which had been a remarkably unproductive opportunity.