Yankees show they miss Rivera as Rays rally for win

NEW YORK -- If Mariano Rivera was shouting at his television Tuesday night, there's no telling what the New York Yankees' injured closer was doing Wednesday.

Before Wednesday night's game, Rivera recounted how he had been screaming encouragement as his main successor for the rest of this season, David Robertson, wiggled out of trouble Tuesday night during the Yankees' win.

Robertson wasn't able to work himself out of a similar jam Wednesday. He blew a one-run lead in the ninth inning of New York's 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, who were led by Matt Joyce's three-run homer.

It wasn't all celebratory for Joyce, who fell down on his way out of the box and limped around the bases. He said after the game he likely sprained his ankle, and he wasn't sure if he would play Thursday.

"I talked to him; he said, 'You can do it,'" a frustrated Robertson said of a pregame meeting with Rivera. "I wasn't able to tonight."

The Rays, who had been held scoreless through eight innings by starter David Phelps and three relievers, greeted Robertson with back-to-back singles by Sean Rodriguez and Chris Gimenez. Ben Zobrist walked before Robertson struck out Carlos Pena.

B.J. Upton tied the game on a sacrifice fly to right, then Joyce broke it open with his three-run homer.

"I'd thrown Joyce a lot of curveballs in a row," said Robertson, who added that he decided to sneak a fastball by Joyce. "He put a charge into it; next thing you know, three runs. But tomorrow can't come fast enough. I can't wait to get another chance."

The four runs were the first scored against Robertson since Aug. 29 of last season. It was his first blown save in his second opportunity since Rivera was likely lost for the year with a torn ACL in his right knee.

It was a humbling reminder for Robertson and the Yankees that the reliever who was an All-Star as a setup man last season will have a challenging transition to serving as the main closer.

"Let's give the kid a chance," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who also said he likely wouldn't pitch Robertson on Thursday because he has not previously used him three days in a row. "It's obviously an adjustment any time you move up in a role, it's an adjustment. But he's gonna bounce back, and I have a ton of confidence in him."

The Rays bounced back in the ninth to snap a three-game losing streak, while the Yankees' two-game winning streak ended.

Fernando Rodney, who pitched two scoreless innings of relief, picked up the victory for Tampa Bay. Rays starter Jeff Niemann had thrown seven innings of one-run ball, but he stood to take the loss entering the ninth.

"That was as good as I've seen him in a while," Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Niemann. "That was dominating in a sense."

The Yankees thwarted the Rays' previous threats, as Tampa Bay went 0-for-20 with runners in scoring position at that point.

"It's kind of been a drought," Maddon said. "We've fought very hard to get people out there, we just have not been able to drive them in, and so it's nice to get off the slide right there."

With New York leading 1-0 in the eighth, Upton singled to lead off the inning against Rafael Soriano. Joyce then rapped a grounder far to second baseman Robinson Cano's left, and Cano rushed his throw to second, pulling shortstop Derek Jeter off the bag to put runners at first and second.

After Luke Scott struck out, Will Rhymes drilled a hard grounder down the line at first, but Mark Teixeira scooped it on a tough hop before throwing across his body to cut down the runner at second for the second out. Soriano then got pinch hitter Desmond Jennings on a fly to left to end the inning.

Phelps looked good in his second start, holding the Rays scoreless on three hits in 4 2/3 innings.

"I feel like I've shown my stuff is capable of staying up here," the rookie said, though he said he wasn't concerned with whether he remained in the rotation.

New York took a 1-0 lead in the first when Cano doubled home Jeter, who had singled.

NOTES: Rivera said he had a blood clot in his right calf but was on blood thinners and the clot would not affect his pending surgery for his torn ACL in his right knee. Rivera said the surgery would take place within a couple of weeks, after his knee was strengthened enough, and he expects to return next season. ... Teixeira went to a doctor due to a cough that has plagued him since mid-April and has made it difficult for him to breathe. Teixeira said he would not miss any time, and the doctor told him he was healthy and prescribed a non-anabolic steroid that did not require notifying Major League Baseball. ... Yankees infielder Eric Chavez said he did not pass a portion of his ImPACT concussion exam and was waiting to be cleared to play by Major League Baseball. Chavez, who resumed baseball activities Wednesday, hoped to be cleared by Thursday. ... New York left fielder Brett Gardner (strained right elbow) tripled and walked twice in his first three plate appearances in a minor league rehab outing for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Girardi said he would be evaluated after the game. ... Rays second baseman Jeff Keppinger was placed on the restricted list for personal reasons but is not expected to be gone for long, Maddon said. ... Jennings (sprained left knee) is close to returning to the starting lineup, Maddon said, though he didn't specify a return date.