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MLB: Tampa Bay 7, N.Y. Yankees 5

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (UPI) -- Willy Aybar had three RBI to help stake Tampa Bay to a seven-run lead Thursday and the Rays survived a wild ninth inning to down the New York Yankees 7-5.

Tampa Bay salvaged the final game of the series and boosted its lead over Boston at the top of the AL East to 3 ½ games. New York fell 7 ½ games behind Boston in the wild-card race.

The Rays appeared on their way to a comfortable victory, thanks in part to Aybar's two-run single that highlighted a five-run second inning and his solo homer in the fourth.

Starter Scott Kazmir (11-6) allowed just one hit over six innings and the Rays owned a 7-0 cushion going into the ninth.

Jason Hammel came in to finish off the game, but gave up an RBI single to Cody Ransom, a three-run homer to Derek Jeter and a solo shot to Alex Rodriguez.

Dan Wheeler was finally called on to replace Hammel and he struck out Xavier Nady with the bases empty to end the contest and earn his 11th save.

The loss went to Darrell Rasner (5-10), who retired only four batters while giving up five runs on six hits.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 09/04/2008

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