Yankees 6, Rays 4: Russell Martin's 3-Run Home Run Propels New York In Series Finale

Behind a five-run third inning which included a three-run home run by catcher Russell Martin, the New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 6-4, in the series finale at Yankee Stadium. The victory helped New York (83-63) earn a win in the three-game series and retain a one-game lead in the AL East Division standings over the second-place Baltimore Orioles (82-64), who defeated the Oakland Athletics, 9-5.

Winning pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (14-10) wasn't spectacular but was good enough lasting six inning allowing four runs on four hits. The Yankees bullpen shutdown Tampa Bay tossing four scoreless innings. Closer Raphael Soriano collected his 40th save of the season by tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

Martin finished the game 1-for-4 as did captain Derek Jeter, who collected an RBI in the third. Third base man Alex Rodriguez went 1-for-3 with two RBI.

The Yankees were able to get to losing pitcher Matt Moore (10-11) early as he left after just three innings of work. Moore allowed five runs on three hits and four walks.

For more on the Yankees, check out our blog Pinstriped Bible. For more on the Rays, head over to SB Nation's DRaysBays. Visit Baseball Nation for news and nuggets from around Major League Baseball.

Yankees Vs. Rays Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers And More

The New York Yankees will try to take their weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon in the Bronx. After dropping the first game of the series Friday night, the Yanks rebounded on Saturday, winning 5-3 and, following a Baltimore Orioles loss to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, took a 1.5 game lead in the AL East.

After wrapping up their series against the Rays, the Yankees play four of their final five series against losing teams, the lone exception being a three-game set against the Athletics next weekend.

Hiroki Kuroda (13-10, 3.17 ERA) will take the mound hoping maintain or extend his team's lead on the Orioles and move five games ahead of the Rays. Tampa Bay will counter with rookie lefty Matt Moore (10-10, 3.68 ERA), who lasted only four innings and gave up two runs in his last start.

TV: YES, TBS

Radio: WCBS 880, WADO 1280

Time: 1:05 p.m. ET

For more on the Yankees, check out our blog Pinstriped Bible. For more on the Rays, head over to SB Nation's DRaysBays. Visit Baseball Nation for news and nuggets from around Major League Baseball.

Yankees 5, Rays 3: New York Evens Weekend Series With Saturday Victory

The New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-3, on Saturday, thanks to six solid innings from Ivan Nova and back-to-back home runs from Curtis Granderson and Eduardo Nunez in the second inning.

Nova (12-7, 4.85 ERA) allowed two earned runs in his six innings of work, striking out eight Tampa Bay batters while allowing just four hits and two walks. James Shields (14-9, 3.77 ERA) took the loss for the Rays after giving up four runs in his 6 1/3 innings.

Granderson's home run was his 39th of the season, with the Nunez blast the first of the year for the utility infielder. Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano each chipped in two hits apiece for New York.

The win momentarily puts New York back in first place in the American League East, half a game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore plays on the west coast on Saturday night, against the Oakland Athletics.

The weekend series wraps up on Sunday at Yankee Stadium, with Hiroki Kuroda scheduled to take the mound for New York, facing Matt Moore of Tampa Bay. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. ET.

For more on the Yankees, please be sure to check out our blog Pinstriped Bible. For more on the Rays, visit SB Nation's DRaysBays. Check out Baseball Nation for news and nuggets from around Major League Baseball.

Yankees Vs. Rays Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers And More

The New York Yankees will try to even their weekend series against the Rays on Saturday afternoon in the Bronx. The Yankees dropped the opener against the Rays on Friday night as CC Sabathia did not have his best stuff, giving up four runs. David Price, on the other hand, shut down the Yankees lineup.

Ivan Nova will now take the hill in Game 2 and try to hold off the Rays, who are just three games back of the Yankees. The Rays entered the series after being swept in Baltimore, and are desperately trying to keep pace with the O's and Yanks. James Shields will go for Joe Maddon on Saturday. The Yankees have roughed up Shields this season, with the Rays starter posting a 6.10 ERA in five starts against the Bronx Bombers.

TV: FOX

Time: 4:05 p.m. ET

For more on the Yankees, please be sure to check out our blog Pinstriped Bible.

Derek Jeter Passes Willie Mays On All-Time Hits List -- Twitter Reaction

Derek Jeter passed Willie Mays Friday night for 10th on the all-time hits list. Here is some of the reaction from around Twitter.

New York Vs. Tampa Bay: Sabathia, Yankees Lose Series Opener, 6-4

The New York Yankees dropped their series opener against the Rays on Friday night, falling 6-4 in the Bronx. The Yankees remained tied with the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East as Baltimore lost to the Oakland Athletics, 3-2. The loss narrowed the gap between the Yankees and Rays to just three games.

Yankee ace CC Sabathia struggled on the mound again, giving up four earned runs in 6.2 innings of work. Sabathia cruised through the first four innings, but the Rays lineup got to him their third time through the order, posting a three-run rally in the top of the fifth. Sabathia gave up a lead-off double to Chris Gimenez and then walked Carlos Pena to quickly put two on. Elliot Johnson and Desmond Jennings delivered back-to-back singles to drive in two and give the Rays a lead they would not relinquish.

Rays starter David Price held the Yankees lineup to just five hits. Captain Derek Jeter managed to get one of those base knocks, a single to the right side that pushed him ahead of Willie Mays into sole possession of No. 10 on the all-time MLB hits list. Jeter got a standing ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd in the bottom of the fifth.

With Price finally out of the game, the Yankees quickly went to work on the Rays bullpen and Joel Peralta. Alex Rodriguez ripped a two-run homer high into the Bronx night to cut the lead to one. The ball went deep into the left-field seats, and it put A-Rod ahead of Lou Gehrig on the all-time MLB runs scored list at 1,889.

Joe Maddon did not wait long to make the call for his closer, bringing on Fernando Rodney for a five-out save opportunity. Rodney would slam the door and the Rays would add another insurance run in the ninth to clinch the 6-4 win.

Ivan Nova will take the hill for the Yankees in Game 2, while the Rays will counter with James Shields. Nova will be pitching for the first time since August 21. He has been on the disabled list since that game with a shoulder issue.

For more on the Yankees, please be sure to check out our blog Pinstriped Bible

Yankees Vs. Rays Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers And More

The New York Yankees can put some space in the AL East and wild card races between themselves and the Rays this weekend.