Bronx, NY (Sports Network) – Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton each had a two-run hit in Tampa Bay’s seven-run sixth inning, as the Rays routed the Yankees, 10- 3, to gain a split in a critical four-game series.
Crawford finished with three hits for the wild card-leading Rays, who won the final two games of this set to clinch the season series win. They now sit a half-game behind the Yankees in the AL East, and likely have a leg up in the division race for the rest of the season.
Tampa Bay has 10 games left, facing Seattle, Baltimore and Kansas City, clubs that entered Thursday’s slate of games with a combined record of 181-273. Meanwhile, the Yankees play Boston (84-68) in six of their final nine games.
Rays starter David Price (18-6) gave up eight hits and four walks in six innings, but limited the Yankees to three runs and struck out seven.
Yankees ace CC Sabathia (20-7) allowed seven runs on 10 hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings to take the loss.