Kazmir dominates Yankees in Rays’ 6-2 victory

(Originally posted for Baseball Digest)

Tampa Bay Rays starter Scott Kazmir allowed one earned run over seven innings as the Rays were able to stop the surging Yankees 6-2 Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.

CC Sabathia struggled through his 5 2/3 innings, giving up six runs (five earned) on nine hits.  He wasn’t helped when Derek Jeter overthrew first base in the second inning, but he didn’t have his best stuff all night.

Hideki Matsui drove in both of the Yankees runs on a single and a double, but the Rays were able to get to Sabathia.

B.J. Upton, Carl Crawford and Ben Zobrist each had two hits.  Evan Longoria added a solo home run off Sabathia in the fifth inning.

Mark Melancon appeared in his first game since July 10.  He pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out two and allowing only one hit.

After the game, the Yankees learned that starter Chien-Ming Wang will need shoulder surgery and will be out for the rest of the season.

Joba Chamberlain starts tomorrow night as the Yankees will look the take the rubber game.