Yankees Fall To Rays, Division Lead Gone

What was a ten game cushion in the AL East just six weeks ago has evaporated as the New York Yankees sank into a tie following another loss at the hands for the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.

Freddy Garcia gave up five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings in the 5-2 defeat.

Tampa collected most of its runs in the fashion the Yankees have used most often this year - with Evan Longoria, Desmond Jennings and B.J. Upton each going yard.

The Bronx Bombers have struggled not only to hit the long ball, but score runs in general. The offense has scored three runs or fewer in 9 of the last 12 games - going 4-8 over that stretch.

And, since holding the double-digit division lead following a win on July 18, the Yankees have gone 19-25, including losses in five of the last six games.

Baltimore's 12-0 dubbing of Toronto on Tuesday pushed the Orioles into a share of first. Meanwhile, the Rays have crept to within 1.5 games of the Yanks, with a chance to sweep the series and inch closer on Wednesday night.

The Yankees will send Hiroki Kuroda (12-10) to the hill in Tampa Wednesday night, hoping to claw back into first place against the Rays' Matt Moore (10-8).