Yankees edge Rays 5-3

Ivan Nova was spectacular against the Rays Tuesday night in the Yankees 5-3 victory. Nova helped guide the Yankees to their first victory against the Rays this season after getting swept in the season opening series in Tampa. Nova pitched seven innings gave up two runs on six hits striking out eight along the way. Nova improves his record to 4-1 on the season. Rays starter James Shields pitched six innings gave up three runs on four hits. Shields is now 5-1.

The Yankees first four runs came via the long ball. Raul Ibanez provided two of his own. In the fourth inning with no score with a runner on Ibanez drilled a two-run shot. Later on in the seventh inning Ibanez hit a shot off the right field foul pole. That second home run gave Ibanez five on the season; he now has 16 RBIs on the season, 8 of which came against the Rays. Curtis Granderson hit a solo home run in the fifth inning giving him 10 on the season, second in the AL behind Josh Hamilton. Mark Teixeira added a RBI double in the eighth inning.

Former Yankee Jose Molina went deep off of Ivan Nova in the sixth inning; it was his second of the year. Luke Scott followed with a solo home run of his own in the seventh inning, his seventh.

David Robertson picked up his first save since taking on the closer role however it didn’t come easy. Robertson had to work out of a jam in the ninth after loading the bases to face Carlos Pena. Robertson was able to paint the outside corner with his fastball to strikeout Pena looking and end the game.

The victory marked Joe Girardi's 400th as Yankee manager.

The Yankees will play the Rays again tomorrow night. Jeff Niemann (2-3 4.05) is scheduled to go for the Rays, the Yankees will send David Phelps (0-1 3.74) Pregame starts at 6:30, first pitch at 7:05.