Yankees problems get worse with another series loss to Rays

 RAYS 6 - YANKEES 3

Even a closed door meeting between Manager Aaron Boone and the Yankees wasn't enough to get things turned around -- at least right away -- as the Yanks suffered another loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, dropping the last place Bombers to 5-9 on the year. 

Saturday's 6-3 loss was a microcosm of all the things that ail this team right now. They still can't hit in the clutch, they were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position; and they unless Gerrit Cole is pitching, they have no chance to begin with. 

And this followed a game on Friday where the Yankees were trounced 8-2, and the fans were tossing baseballs onto the field. 

Jordan Montgomery got the ball Saturday, and struggled for the most part, as he was more of victim of the long ball than anything else. Francisco Mejia's solo shot in the second gave the Rays an early 1-0 lead. Tampa would tack onto that advantage when Manuel Margot crushed a Montgomery fastball over the center field wall for a two-run shot that gave the Rays a 3-1 lead. 

Montgomery lasted into the seventh inning, before a walk to Mike Brousseau forced Boone to go to the bullpen to bring in Jonathan Loaisiga, who proceeded to give up a two-run shot to Joey Wendle that pushed the Tampa lead to 5-1.

Even though the Yankees did chip away with a Rougned Odor solo shot and an Aaron Judge RBI double to cut into the Rays lead at 5-3, it wasn't nearly enough as the Rays bullpen shut the door in the late stages. 

Of course this game couldn't go by without some health issues after Gary Sanchez left the game after taking a foul tip off his hand; Kyle Higashioka caught the rest of the day. Sanchez's status is day to day.

At 5-9, the Yankees need answers. They hope to get it from Cole tomorrow.