5 Memorable Games vs Devil Rays

Didn't think it was possible, huh?

1. June 3, 1998

A legend debuts

Much was made of the story of the defection of Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. Now was his time to show the Yankees and their fans if he could really pitch. The opportunity came a little earlier than expected when David Cone was bitten by his mother's dog. Needed a starter, the Yankees called up Duque from Triple-A Columbus.

Duque struck out Quinton McCracken to start the game a star is born. Hernandez breezed through 7 innings, allowing a run on 5 hits to top the Rays, 7-1. Duque walks 2 and strikes out 7 before turning it over to Mike Stanton to finish it out

Scott Brosius shows a glimpse of the super year he is having, driving in 4 runs.

2. June 21, 2005

Randy Johnson looks like the little unit and is hammered for 7 runs in just 3 innings work. Scott Proctor throws some grease on the fire in relief and the Yankees trail 10-2 after 4 innings.

The Yankees' offense chipped away so that the Bombers trailed 11-7 entering the 8th inning. That one went like this:

Robinson Cano single
Derek Jeter single
RBI ground out by Ruben Sierra
Gary Sheffield single
A-Rod RBI single
Hideki Matsui RBI double
Int'l Walk to Giambi
Bernie Williams bases clearing triple
Jorge Posada 2-run HR
Cano flies out
Jeter single
Sierra single
Sheffield 3-run HR
A-Rod HR
Matsui HR

Incredibly, the Yankees have their second 13 run inning of the season, both coming against the Devil Rays. They bang out 12 hits in the inning, including 4 home runs. 23 hits in all leads to a 20-11 win.

Sheffield drives in 7 runs, with 4 hits, incl. a pair of HRs. Bernie drives in 5.


3. April 18, 2005

The Yankees offense gives the fans something to remember. The 2nd inning of a scoreless game goes something like this:

Hideki Matsui walks
A-Rod hits a 2-run HR
Jason Giambi doubles
Jorge Posada grounds out
Tino Martinez delivers an RBI single
Tony Womack gets an infield single
Derek Jeter RBI single
Bernie Williams RBI single
Gary Sheffield RBI single
Matsui single to load bases
A-Rod 2-run double
Int'l Walk to Posada
RBI single for Giambi
Tino hits Grand Slam

13 runs are scored in the inning on 11 hits, 1 walk, and 1 error. Starter Rob Bell gives up 10 earned runs in just 1 1-3 innings. A-Rod and Tino Martinez have 6 RBI each and combine for 8 hits.

Jaret Wright stinks on the mound, but gets the victory despite giving up 8 runs in 5 1-3 innings. Final, Yankees 19 Rays 8


4. September 26, 1998

David Cone wins his 20th game of the season and breaks the MLB record for the longest span between reaching such heights. 10years earlier, Cone went an amazing 20-3 as a member of the Mets. It's the 2nd to last game of the season and there's no telling how far Joe Torre will allow Coney to go with the playoffs right around the corner.

The Yankees score single runs in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings, including another home run by Shane Spencer, who had a September to remember. Coney limits the Rays to 4 hits over 7 innings and strikes out 8. It's now up to the pen to nail down the milestone.

With 1 out in the 9th, Torre calls for Mariano Rivera. Mo gives up a quick double to Bubba Trammell, but gets Paul Sorrento to pop out to Posada for the 2nd out. And infield single by Rob Butler and a walk to Miguel Cairo loads the bases for pinch-hitter Mike Kelly (pinch-hitting for John Flaherty). Mo uncharacteristically walks Kelly to force in a run and put the tying runs in scoring position.

A nervous Coney watches as Mo induces a game ending ground out by Quinton McCracken.

5. July 29, 2006

The Ray's offense has their day of reckoning.

Randy Johnson had been abused by the Rays before and he will again on this day. The Rays jump all over Johnson for 9 runs in 3 plus innings. But the Rays aren't done yet. They hammer Shawn Chacon, Mike Myers, and T.J. Beam for 10 more and smoke the Yankees, 19-6.

Jae Seo is pretty awful himself, allowing 5 runs in 5 2-3, but gets his first victory in six decisions. The Rays get 4 home runs, one by Damon Hollins who drives in 5. Eduardo Perez continues to make Johnson his personal whipping boy with a 5 hit day.