Yankees Prevented From Making History

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays capitalized on a couple of mistakes for a 2-1 victory over the New York Yankees that kept the Yankees from achieving the best start in the 100-year history of the franchise.

At 9-1, the Yankees had tied the best start, set by the 1988 team. No Yankee team has gone 10-1 and the Devil Rays made sure this one didn’t.

In a rally fueled by an error by catcher Jorge Posada and a wild pitch by Juan Acevedo, Toby Hall hit a sacrifice fly that delivered the winning run in the ninth inning.

Hall drove in the run with a long fly to left and reliever Lance Carter (3-0) made it stand up with a 1-2-3 ninth inning, ending the Yankees’ five-game winning streak on a day Roger Clemens was bidding for his 296th victory.

The Yankees made two crucial mistakes setting Tampa Bay’s winning rally in motion.

Marlon Anderson led off with a single off Acevedo. Damion Easley bunted and both runners were safe when Posada mishandled the ball.

Then came the wild pitch, putting runners on second and third with none out. Hall then hit the fly ball.

Clemens worked seven innings, giving up seven hits. He struck out six, walked three and left trailing, 1-0.