NEW YORK—The New York Yankees edged the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 on Wednesday to complete a two-game sweep and slow the momentum of the AL East leaders.
Bobby Abreu delivered a game-winning RBI double in the 10th inning at Yankee Stadium to cut Tampa Bay's (55-35) advantage over New York (49-42).
"You definitely want to win the games against the teams that are ahead of you," Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi told reporters. "That's what makes a difference. The biggest thing is we took advantage of that."
Right fielder Abreu drove a pitch from Rays reliever Grant Balfour to score Derek Jeter, who scored both of the Yankees' runs.
Right-hander Sidney Ponson pitched six innings, striking out four and allowing one run, but received a no-decision. Mariano Rivera (4-3) took the mound at the start of the eighth and pitched two hitless innings to record the win.
Rays starter Edwin Jackson's only blemish over 6 1/3 innings was an RBI single from Giambi. First baseman Carlos Pena hit a solo home run in the sixth to tie the game up.
Tampa Bay has now lost three in a row after winning seven consecutive games but still hold a two-game lead over Boston.
"This is not adversity, this is just a couple of games where we haven't put much together offensively," said Rays designated hitter Cliff Floyd.
"The pitching has been giving us opportunities, and we haven't capitalised on those opportunities at the plate."
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