The Yankees fell to the Rays 4-0 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. >> Box score
Five takeaways from Wednesday's game...
1) Jonathan Loaisiga took the assignment of being the Yankees' opener on Wednesday, but his start didn't go as planned. The right-hander allowed a solo home run to Joey Wendle on his third pitch of the game, putting the Bombers in a quick hole. He then allowed three more singles in the inning, with the final one being an RBI hit from Brandon Lowe. Loaisiga went just one inning, allowing two runs on four hits.
2) J.A. Happ then took over for the Yankees in the second inning, making his first relief appearance of the season. The left-hander pitched five innings out of the bullpen, scattering four hits while allowing just one earned run. It's likely that Happ will be used in this same way in the playoffs, pitching after an opener.
3) Charlie Morton was phenomenal once again for the Rays. In fact, he was unhittable though the first five innings. Finally, with two outs in the sixth, DJ LeMahieu punched a single into right field for the Yankees' first hit of the night. Morton has been excellent all season long for Tampa, and he lowered his ERA to 3.05 on Wednesday while picking up his 16th win of the year. The Rays' bullpen was just as strong, as four relievers combined to not allow a hit.
4) In the eighth inning, Aaron Judge came up to bat with two outs and two runs. The potential tying run in a 3-0 game, Judge went down swinging on a Nick Anderson fastball to end the threat. Judge went 0-3 on the night with three strikeouts and a walk.
5) The Rays extended their lead in the ninth inning, as Luis Cessa allowed a solo home run to Avisail Garcia off of one of Tropicana Field's catwalks to make it a 4-0 game. Garcia was the only batter that Cessa faced, as Aroldis Chapman game on to record the final two outs of the frame.
What's next
The Yankees have their final off day of the season on Thursday. On Friday, they begin a three-game set on the road with Texas. Lefty Joe Palumbo (0-2, 9.22 ERA) will start for the Rangers, while the Yankees have yet to officially announce their starter.