Yankees Score: New York 6, Colorado 4

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - It took the puzzled Yankees four-plus innings to reach base against Rockies starter Juan Nicasio on Sunday.

Once they figured the rookie right-hander out, the floodgates opened.

Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada homered off Nicasio in a three-run fifth inning that tied the game, and New York went on to beat Colorado, 6-4, in the finale of a three-game set.

Alex Rodriguez added an RBI single and Eduardo Nunez knocked in the eventual game-winner with a base hit in the seventh for the Yankees, who have won six of their last eight.

Boone Logan (2-2) got three outs in the seventh to earn the win in a game started by Ivan Nova, while Mark Teixeira homered in the eighth for New York's last run.

Mariano Rivera struck out three in a perfect ninth for his 20th save.

"It was a total team effort," Swisher said. "A great start by Nova. He gave up a couple runs but kept us in the game. You really can tip your hat to the bullpen. They really did a nice job. And obviously going into the ninth, you got to feel good about your chances."

Ty Wigginton hit two solo homers for the Rockies, who have dropped three of four. Chris Iannetta also had a solo blast while Matt Belisle (5-3) took the loss in relief of Nicasio.

The final line for the 24-year-old Rockies starter wasn't impressive: four runs, four hits, a walk and two strikeouts over five-plus innings. But he sure sparkled before hitting a wall.

Nicasio retired the first 13 Yankees hitters on five groundouts, three fly balls, two strikeouts, two line drives and a pop-up before Robinson Cano laced a fastball into left field for a single with one out in the fifth.

Swisher then knocked his ninth home run over the right field wall and Posada followed with a solo shot, his eighth, to tie the game at 3-3. Wigginton's second homer of the season gave Colorado back the lead in the sixth, but the Yankees knocked Nicasio out of the game in the bottom of the inning and tied the score.

"I've been feeling good at the plate right now," Wigginton said. "I think I've done a good job with staying with my approach."

Belisle came in after Brett Gardner singled and Curtis Granderson walked. He got an out, but Rodriguez singled to bring home a run and tie the score at 4-4.

Nunez singled in the seventh, scoring pinch runner Chris Dickerson to give the Yankees a 5-4 lead and chase Belisle for Matt Reynolds.

Seeking his fourth straight win, Nova worked six innings for New York and gave up Colorado's first four runs, including homers to Wigginton in the second and Iannetta in the fifth.

Yankees Notes: Happy Birthday To An Old-Timer ... Derek Jeter

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter turns 37 today. That is a circumstance many might see as fitting since the Yankees are hosting their annual Old-Timers Day at Yankee Stadium this afternoon.

Jeter's time won't be today, however. Nor will it likely come Wednesday when he is eligible to be activated from the 15-day disabled list. Jeter is working his way back from the strained calf that landed him on the DL, but the Yankees don't believe he will be ready.

Another of the Yankees old-timers -- Alex Rodriguez -- is playing through a knee injury. This after reports recently that A-Rod had been playing through a bum shoulder.

For the Yankees, unfortunately, this is how it's going to be with a lot of their aging players. Always nursing something that will slow them down or keep them out for a while.

By the way, one of the young Yankees -- right-hander Phil Hughes -- is continuing to build arm strength after battling shoulder issues. The Yankees expect him to make a couple more rehab starts before re-joining the starting rotation.

Yankees 8, Rockies 3: CC Sabathia Earns 10th Victory

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Alex Rodriguez drove in three runs, CC Sabathia became the first 10-game winner in the majors and the New York Yankees took an 8-3 win over the Colorado Rockies in the second of a three-game set.

Sabathia (10-4) gave up just one run on seven hits with a walk and nine strikeouts over eight innings.

Mark Teixeira hit a two-run home run, Jorge Posada went 3-for-4 with an RBI while Curtis Granderson went 2-for-5 with two runs score and an RBI for the Yankees, who had dropped their previous two.

Ty Wigginton hit a two-run home run while Seth Smith drove in the other run for the Rockies, who have dropped two of their last three. Aaron Cook (0-3) was tagged for six runs -- five earned -- on 12 hits over 5 2/3 innings to remain winless in four starts this season.

The Yanks wasted no time in grabbing the lead as Brett Gardner led off the home first with a bunt single, stole second, then came home on an RBI single from Granderson. After Teixeira grounded out, Rodriguez brought home Granderson with a single to right for a 2-0 lead.

The third inning saw New York plate three more runs. Granderson led off with a single and Teixeira followed with a double. Rodriguez brought both of them home with a double. After Robinson Cano grounded out, Nick Swisher brought home Rodriguez with a sac fly for a 5-0 lead.

The Yankees made it a 6-0 game in the sixth when Swisher led off with a double and Jorge Posada followed with a two-bagger.

Sabathia, meanwhile, was cruising through his start as he didn't allow a Rockie to reach second base through the first four innings.

Ryan Spilborghs led off the fifth with a double and moved to third on a Chris Nelson groundout. But Sabathia got Matt Pagnozzi to fly out to shallow center and induced a groundout from Carlos Gonzalez to end the frame.

Colorado finally got on the board in the eighth with an RBI single from Smith, but the Yanks answered in the bottom of the frame on a two-run home run from Teixeira, his 22nd of the season.

Wigginton hit a two-run home run in the ninth to account for the final score.

Rockies 4, Yankees 2: Jimenez Shutsdown Yankees, Giambi Homers In Return

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Ubaldo Jimenez fanned seven batters over seven strong innings and ex-Yankee Jason Giambi went 3-for-4 with a homer, leading Colorado to a 4-2 victory over New York to open a three-game series.

Jimenez (3-7) yielded four hits, walked four and gave up a pair of runs to win back-to-back starts for the first time this season.

"I was able to throw my breaking ball for a strike," Jimenez said. "You could see every time they got up to the plate they were swinging right away, they were looking for the fastball. I was able to throw the slider, the curve, the splitter, change-up, everything for a strike. That helped me a lot. It was like I was pitching backwards."

Troy Tulowitzki also went deep off A.J. Burnett, helping the Rockies to their seventh triumph in nine games.

Burnett (7-6) surrendered seven hits and four runs over 6 1/3 innings. He also walked five and fanned just as many, but lost for the third time in his last four starts.

Alex Rodriguez knocked in both runs for the Yankees, who lost for just the third time in their last 10 games.

Nick Swisher singled to right off closer Huston Street with one out in the ninth. Jorge Posada then flied out to left and Russell Martin was retired on a lazy fly to center to end the game, giving Street his major league-leading 23rd save of the year.

Burnett tied a major-league record and set a Yankee mark by fanning four batters in the sixth inning. That was made possible when Chris Nelson fanned, but reached first on a wild pitch. Burnett then struck out Todd Helton to end the inning, but the Yankees were down by two at the point and didn't get a runner past first over the final four innings.

"I was pretty inconsistent all night," Burnett admitted.

Rodriguez smashed a double down the left-field line to score Curtis Granderson in the opening inning, but Giambi jumped on a 2-0 pitch and homered to right- center with one out in the second to tie the game.

"He looks really good, looks like he's in great shape," Rodriguez said of Giambi. "I'm happy to see him do good, just not against us."

It was the first career homer for Giambi at the current Yankee Stadium after hitting 95 at the original one. Seven of his eight homers this season have come on the road.

"There's an incredible energy playing in this stadium," Giambi said.

Helton singled to right with the bases full the next inning to plate Chris Iannetta before Rodriguez tied the game in the bottom half with a sacrifice fly.

Burnett struggled with his command in the fourth, walking Giambi and allowing a double to Seth Smith. He induced an RBI groundout off the bat of Ty Wigginton, a ball that was barehanded by Rodriguez before the out at first. Nelson grounded into a force play, leaving the bases loaded, but not before Colorado claimed the 3-2 lead.

Tulowitzki then homered to right with one out in the fifth, his 14th round- tripper of the season.

Yankees Vs. Rockies: A Few Facts About Colorado (The Team, Not The State)

The New York Yankees return to Yankee Stadium Friday night to open a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies. A.J. Burnett (7-5, 4.05) will pitch for New York against Ubaldo Jimenez (2-7, 4.68). The Rockies have not visited Yankee Stadium since 2004, so let's get to know a little about them.

• Colorado is a mediocre 37-37, but only four games behind Arizona in the perennially pedestrian NL West.
• Jason Giambi still has a career, and at 40 he happens to be having it with the Rockies. Giambi even hit three home runs in a game this season, but has only seven home runs for the season, one more than he had all of last year. Seems like he woke up one day, remembered who he used to be, then went back to sleep.
• Derek Jeter is still on the disabled list, but there will be a star shortstop wearing No. 2 this weekend in the Bronx. Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki wears the number because he idolized Jeter while growing up, and at age 26 he is a full-fledged star in his own right. With 13 home runs and 49 RBI Tulowitzki is on his way to his fourth season of 20 or more home runs. Jeter, by the way, has only done that three times in his career.
• Jimenez, Friday's starting pitcher, is having a strangely awful season after going 19-8 a season ago and finishing third in National League Cy Young Award voting.
• The Rockies have the best record among all National League teams in interleague play since 2006, compiling a .619 winning percentage. 

By the way, if you really need some fast facts about the state of Colorado itself, you can check here.

-- For more about the Rockies, visit Purple Row.