The right-hander certainly has earned his massive paycheck since the All-Star break, and his efforts continued on Monday as he lasted seven innings and allowed just one run on three hits while striking out 10. Despite the effort, he didn't get the win, as Rays ace Matt Garza rendered the Yankees bats relatively silent over the first seven innings. He allowed one unearned run on five hits with seven strikeouts before giving way to Lance Cormier, who allowed three runs on one hit in just 1/3 innings.
Phil Hughes got the win for New York after a scoreless eighth, and Mariano Rivera earned the save with an easy ninth that featured two strikeouts.
Alex Rodriguez led off New York's scoring effort with a deep double in the bottom of the first to put the Yankees up 1-0. Evan Longoria struck back in the top of the next frame with a solo shot, and all was quiet on the scoring front until Cormier fell apart in the eighth.
Robinson Cano's sacrifice fly brought home Jerry Hairston Jr. with New York's second run, and Jorge Posada followed up with an RBI single. Erik Hinske plated the Yankees' final run with a sac fly.
Rodriguez finished the afternoon 3-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. No member of the Rays registered more than a single hit.
