New York @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 22, 2013 ) NY Yankees 1, Tampa Bay 5

The Tampa Bay Rays got off to a slow start but have started to turn things around behind some strong pitching performances. Reigning Cy Young Award winner David Price will try to keep that going when the Rays host the New York Yankees on Tuesday. Matt Moore allowed two hits in eight innings to lead Tampa Bay to a 5-1 win in the series opener and the staff has allowed five runs during a four-game winning streak.

The Yankees, who dropped the finale of a three-game series at Toronto on Sunday, have lost back-to-back games for the first time since the opening week of the season. They need to post a win Tuesday to have a chance at their fifth consecutive series victory. Robinson Cano was the only player in the New York lineup to record a hit off Moore, but it was the starting pitching of CC Sabathia that put the Yankees in a hole Monday. Phil Hughes will need to find a way to slow down Ryan Roberts if he wants to reverse that short trend. Roberts homered twice Monday and has multiple hits in three of the last four contests.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, My9 (New York), Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Phil Hughes (0-2, 6.43 ERA) vs. Rays LH David Price (0-1, 6.26)

Hughes allowed eight earned runs in seven innings over his first two starts but settled down to pitch seven strong frames against the Arizona Diamondbacks last week. The right-hander allowed a pair of solo home runs to the Diamondbacks and has been reached for five homers in three turns. Hughes is 4-4 with a 3.99 ERA in 14 career games - seven starts - against Tampa Bay.

Price has yet to notch a win and has not recorded an out in the seventh inning in any of his four turns. The 27-year-old left-hander was knocked around for five runs and eight hits while not factoring in the decision at Baltimore last week. Price has fared well against New York in his career, posting a 7-3 record with a 3.77 ERA in 18 games against the division rivals. Cano is 11-for-47 with one home run off Price in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees 3B Kevin Youkilis (back) was a late scratch from the lineup Monday and is day-to-day.

2. Rays 1B Luke Scott (strained calf) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday.

3. New York SS Eduardo Nunez is 3-for-32 over his last 12 games.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Yankees 2