Tampa Bay @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 20, 2013 ) Tampa Bay 8, NY Yankees 3

The Tampa Bay Rays are trying to build a winning streak at the expense of the New York Yankees. The Rays will be hoping to secure their first winning streak of three or more games since last month when they continue their series at Yankee Stadium on Friday. Tampa Bay had totaled five runs during a three-game slide but have put up 14 in the last two contests, including an 8-3 win in Thursday’s series opener.

New York has dropped two straight and seven of its last nine games as its offense falters. The Yankees have been held to three runs or fewer in six of their last eight games, including the last two. The replacements that kept the team afloat at the beginning of the season - including Vernon Wells, Travis Hafner and Kevin Youkilis - have all been struggling at the same time or have hit the disabled list.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), WWOR (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Roberto Hernandez (4-7, 5.02 ERA) vs. Yankees RH David Phelps (4-4, 4.08)

Hernandez has traded losses and wins over his last five starts, beginning with a four-inning effort against New York on May 24. The veteran right-hander was reached for five runs on six hits in that outing. Hernandez has never had much success against the Yankees, owning a 1-6 record with a 7.50 ERA in 12 career games - nine starts.

Phelps had a string of two straight strong starts come to an end last time out, when he was reached for four runs on nine hits in six innings to suffer a loss at Los Angeles. The 26-year-old right-hander had surrendered a total of one run on four hits in his two previous appearances. Phelps got the better of Hernandez in that May 24 meeting, allowing four runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings to pull out the win.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays 3B Evan Longoria homered twice in the series opener and is 5-for-8 in the last two games.

2. Hafner is 1-for-30 in his last eight games.

3. Former Tampa Bay SS Reid Brignac had one of New York’s six hits on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Rays 4