Yankees baffled by Hellickson as Ray sweep

You're going to have to wait a little longer for the first Yankees win of 2012.

With Jeremy Hellickson in control throughout, the Yankees fell meekly, 3-0, yesterday to the Rays, who completed a season-opening three-game sweep.

Hellickson, last year's American League Rookie of the Year, limited the Yankees to three hits, all doubles, and came within one out of the complete-game shutout.

The Yankees, who start a three-game series in Baltimore tonight, went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded six. Hellickson retired nine batters in a row before walking Nick Swisher with two outs in the ninth. Fernando Rodney came in and retired Raul Ibañez for the one-out save.

Phil Hughes, coming off an impressive spring, wasn't bad but he was lifted after just 42/3 innings because of a high pitch count. The righthander allowed two runs and five hits in throwing 99 pitches, including one that Rays first baseman Carlos Peña hit for a homer.

Erik Boland is a

Newsday staff writer.