Rays flouder against Yankees

Optimism is a wonderful thing. And any Rays fans who still think we can get back to the World Series this season might have to do some wishful thinking on an industrial scale right now.

Last night's 11-4 home loss to the Yankees felt just like a return to the bad old days. Admittedly the Yankees had a pitcher, in A.J. Burnett, who simply dominated the Rays' hitters all night, limiting them to a pair of hits and a lone unearned run in his seven innings.

But it was the lack of resistance, especially late on, which will most concern those who have recently learned to think happy thoughts about the Rays.

B.J. Upton's single in the third was the only hit the Rays recorded against Burnett in his first five innings. Their second hit brought the first run in the sixth. When Longoria grounded into a double play, allowing Upton to trot home and trim the deficit to 5-1, it looked like a fight back, but was actually as close as the Rays got all night.

"I think the hyperbole is really not necessary," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "Just go after it, daily. We did a nice job with that last year as a front-runner and I think we can do the same thing trying to catch up."

Let's hope they can. Otherwise this is going to be a very long series against an old foe looking like returning to former glories.

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