Tampa Bay Rays’ pitcher Jake Odorizzi was almost perfect Sunday afternoon.
He just wasn’t close enough.
Odorizzi allowed only one hit, one walk and runner to reach by error Sunday, but he fell 2-1 as Starlin Castro of the New York Yankees broke up his no-hitter with a two-run homer in the seventh inning. The Yankees sent only 29 batters to the plate, two over the minimum, in getting the win.
โHe was outstanding,โ Cash said. โIt was as good an outing as we’ve had all year. It’s a difficult pill to swallow.โ
Odorizzi struck out six batters in his effort, but fell to 2-3 on the season.
โI needed to be a hair better than I was,โ Odorizzi said.
The Rays were able to score only once on their six hits, and were 1-6 with runners in scoring position. Their run came when Brandon Guyer came home on a single by Evan Longoria. It was the Rays’ seventh loss in nine games.
Tampa Bay activated Brad Boxberger after the game, placing Ryan Webb on the disabled list.
The Rays loaded the bases in the sixth, but didn’t have a hit afterward. Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman retired the nine men they faced, seven by strikeout.
The Rays now travel to Kansas City to play the Royals. Matt Andriese pitches for Tampa Bay.
