ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In a season in which consistency has been difficult to capture, give the Yankees this: they have become adept at losing rubber games.

Ten outs away from winning their first series in over a month, the Yankees coughed up a two-run lead Sunday afternoon and instead reverted to their losing ways.

An erratic Ian Hamilton blew the lead in the sixth inning as the Yankees dropped their eighth straight rubber game, a 7-4 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field.

Losers of 12 of their last 14 games, the Yankees (62-68) are now 1-12-3 in their last 16 series, going 17-32 during that stretch with their season crashing and burning in the process. 

Sunday’s game also featured tempers flaring in the eighth inning, leading to the benches clearing twice. 

It began when Albert Abreu plunked Randy Arozarena in the ribs with a 96 mph sinker – the fourth Ray that Yankees pitchers hit Sunday. Arozarena was angry, nearly spiking his bat before exchanging words with Abreu, which led to the benches clearing without any punches being thrown.

Arozarena went on to steal second and third, after which he and Abreu exchanged more words with Abreu walking toward third base and the benches emptying again.

Abreu had also hit Arozarena during the teams’ series here in May.

In all, the Yankees hit five Rays during this series.

The Yankees led Sunday’s game 4-2 entering the sixth inning and Hamilton quickly recorded the first two outs before getting into trouble. No. 8 hitter Christian Bethancourt then singled before Hamilton hit Jonathan Aranda with a 1-2 pitch and Arozarena hit an infield single to load the bases.

Harold Ramirez came up next and blooped a two-run, game-tying single just beyond the reach of Gleyber Torres. The second baseman had initially backpedaled into shallow right field before turning and unsuccessfully reaching for the ball.

Brandon Lowe then roped a two-run single off Wandy Peralta to put the Rays ahead 6-4.