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Rays pin pitching duties on Odorizzi in the Bronx

Sep 10, 2014 - 2:34 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Jake Odorizzi hasn't given up a run in his last two starts. That's probably not good news for a New York Yankees lineup that has struggled for the majority of the season.

Odorizzi eyes another impressive showing on Wednesday when the Tampa Bay Rays continue their three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

The young right-hander scattered three hits over 7 1/3 scoreless innings against Toronto on Thursday, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 1-0 loss. That followed up an even more impressive showing against the Boston Red Sox that saw him give up just one hit in seven scoreless innings.

Odorizzi comes into tonight's start having not allowed a run in his last 15 1/3 innings.

"My arm feels free for it being September, and I just want to end that way," Odorizzi said. "I felt really good. Never felt like I was in a jam. I felt totally in control of the game. I was making pitches and just kind of going about my business."

New York will counter with left-handed veteran Chris Capuano, who is 2-3 with a 4.46 ERA. Capuano did not get a decision on Thursday against Boston, but was not sharp, as he was tagged for four runs and six hits in only 4 1/3 innings of his team's 5-4 win.

Capuano is 0-1 in four games (2 starts) versus the Rays with a 5.93 ERA.

Tampa added to New York's recent woes on Tuesday, as James Loney went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI to help the Rays to a 4-3 victory.

Loney's blast was one of four runs scored by the Rays over the first four innings in support of Chris Archer (9-8), who halted a two-start losing streak by allowing three runs over 6 1/3 frames.

Jake McGee tossed a perfect ninth to nail down Tampa's sixth win in seven trips to Yankee Stadium this season and the Rays' 12th triumph in their last 14 visits to the Bronx.

Ben Zobrist, Kevin Kiermaier and Ryan Hanigan each finished with two hits for Tampa Bay, with Zobrist contributing an RBI single.

"I think we were just being aggressive and confident in our abilities," said Loney. "That's what you have to do when you're hitting. You have to be ready for every pitch."

The Rays put up nine hits in all against New York's Hiroki Kuroda (10-9), who allowed all four runs and lasted only 3 1/3 innings -- his shortest outing of the season.

Chris Young had a two-run single for the fading Yankees, with Jacoby Ellsbury finishing 2-for-3 with a solo homer in defeat. New York is 5 1/2 games off a wild card berth.

"Basically, we have to win every day," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "That's the bottom line."

Tampa has won nine of its 14 matchups with the Yankees this season.