Tampa Bay Rays: Gomes, Garza Back at it Again in 10th Straight Home Win

The Rays have now won 10 straight games as the home team.

Seven of those games came at the "Trop," while the other three came in Orlando against Toronto.  The streak includes series sweeps over Toronto, the defending champion Boston Red Sox, and AL West favorite Anaheim. 

Monday night the Rays opened a four-game set with the division-rival New York Yankees. Matt Garza got the ball against veteran Andy Pettitte.

Garza was sharp again, and the defense had his back, with three double plays turned in the infield. 

The Rays bats were alive and well in this one, as several Rays contributed in the blowout victory.

Jonny Gomes, who sees limited playing time only batting against lefties, took advantage and had himself a great day. 

In the second inning, Gomes got a two-out line drive single to center.  On the first pitch to the next batter, he stole second against Pettite, one of the toughest pitchers to steal on.

This lead to a Dioner Navarro bloop single (one of his three hits on the day) to score Gomes and get the Rays jumpstarted.

Gomes went on in the fourth inning and ripped a single to left, and plated Evan Longoria, who previously doubled off the top of the wall.

Gomes would go on to steal third and score again on a Jason Bartlett two-RBI triple to left-center.

That would be more than enough for Garza, as he went seven stong innings while fanning three Yankee sluggers. Gary Glover would come in and give up the lone  New York run, but looked good after coming off his DL stint.

Trevor Miller pitched a scoreless ninth.

The Rays will send EdWIN Jackson to the mound to battle Yankee ace Chien Ming Wang (6-1) Tuesday. 

Cliff Floyd should be back in the lineup Tuesday with a righty on the mound.

Alex Rodriguez will not be playing in this series, as he is not where he needs to be at this time. He might not be available for the Yankees' Subway Series with the Mets this weekend either.