Yankees 8, Rays 6
Curtis Granderson homered twice and drove in five runs as the New York Yankees beat the visiting Tampa Bay Rays 8-6 in the opener of a crucial four-game series Monday night.
Granderson opened the scoring with a two-run blast in the third and doubled New York's lead with a three-run shot in the sixth as the Yankees widened their lead over the Rays to 1 1/2 games in the American League East.
Derek Jeter had a pair of hits to extend his hitting streak to nine games on a night when the Yankees unveiled a monument to their late owner George Steinbrenner. Francisco Cervelli added three hits and scored three runs.
Rays starter Matt Garza (14-9) was pounded for the third consecutive outing. He was charged with seven runs on eight hits in five-plus innings, walking four and striking out one.
Yankees rookie right-hander Ivan Nova shut out Tampa Bay on one hit through five innings, but was knocked out of the game in a four-run sixth.
Chad Gaudin (1-4) was one of four relievers to bridge the gap to Mariano Rivera, who registered his 32nd save.
Ben Zobrist had three hits and Evan Longoria drove in two runs for the Rays.