ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 8 (UPI) -- Jeremy Hellickson hurled 8 2/3 innings of shutout ball Sunday and Tampa Bay completed a season-opening sweep of the New York Yankees with a 3-0 win.
Hellickson (1-0) celebrated his 25th birthday with a dominating performance against the Yankees, yielding only three hits while walking four and striking out four.
Fernando Rodney got his second save after recording the final out for the Rays, who began the season at 3-0 for the second time in franchise history.
Carlos Pena and Jeff Keppinger each hit solo homers and Matt Joyce added a run-scoring triple in Tampa Bay's victory.
New York's Phil Hughes (0-1) absorbed the loss, surrendering a pair of runs on five hits over 4 2/3 innings, walking two and fanning five.
The Yankees opened a season at 0-3 for the first time since 1998.
