Jeremy Hellickson pitched eight and two-thirds shutout innings for Tampa Bay (3-0) as the Rays won 3–0 Sunday afternoon to sweep the Yankees (0-3) in the teams’ season-opening series.
For the Yankees, Phil Hughes got the loss after going four and two-thirds innings and giving up two runs while striking out five.
New York managed just three hits (all doubles) but came up empty in all six at-bats with runners in scoring position. Overall the Yankees left seven runners on base.
For Tampa Bay, Carlos Pena and Jeff Keppinger each hit solo home runs. Pena’s homer was his second of the young season as the 33-year-old first baseman capped his first weekend back with Tampa Bay by driving in seven runs and collecting six hits.
The Yankees now head to Baltimore Monday and will start Ivan Nova on the mound opposing the Orioles’ Brian Matusz.
