Yankees Avoid Sweep, Beat Rays 6-4

The Yankees (77-59) were able to avoid the sweep on Wednesday night beating the Rays (75-62) 6-4. Hiroki Kuroda pitched well going six innings giving up four runs on eight hits for the Yankees earning the win (13-10). The Yankees also gained back sole possession of first place in the AL East leading the Orioles by one game after they lost in Toronto.

The Rays struck first off of Kuroda in the top of the first inning when they were able to manufacture a run. Sam Fuld led off with a single, advanced to second on Desmond Jennings sac-bunt and then scored on Evan Longoria’s RBI single.

The Yankees would finally get on the board in a big fourth inning. Derek Jeter who finished 3-5 led off with a single. Nick Swisher flew out and Robinson Cano walked leading to an Alex Rodriguez RBI double. The next hitter Raul Ibanez then hit a deep drive to right field that bounced over the wall scoring both runners and putting the Yankees on top 3-1.

In the bottom of the fifth the Rays would and tie up the game. With two outs Kuroda walked Sam Fuld, then Desmond Jennings singled extending the inning. The next hitter Ben Zobrist then drilled a triple to center field scoring both runs.

In the top of the sixth the Yankees would get back on top after Russell Martin hit a solo home run, his 15^th of the season. The lead wouldn’t last however; Luke Scott answered the Martin home run with a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the sixth, his 13^th of the season.

In the top of the seventh Matt Moore found himself in trouble after allowing singles to Andruw Jones and Steve Pearce to start the inning. The runners advanced to second and third after a Jayson Nix sac-bunt forcing Joe Maddon to bring in Kyle Farnsworth face Derek Jeter. With the infield in, Jeter grounded a ball to second basemen Elliot Johnson, Johnson fielded and threw way wide towards home plate allowing both runners to score putting the Yankees up 6-4.

Rafael Soriano came on in the ninth for his 36^th save of the season.

The Yankees will start a four game series at Baltimore on Thursday night. David Phelps (3-4 3.13) will pitch for the Yankees while Jason Hammel (8-6 3.54) gets the start for the Orioles. Pregame coverage begins at 6:30, first pitch at 7:10 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.