Yankees 5, Rays 0
Ivan Nova won his 12th consecutive decision with 7 2/3 scoreless innings as the New York Yankees coasted to a 5-0 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a four-game series Tuesday night.
Tampa Bay lost for only the fifth time in 16 games and remained two games behind Boston in the American League wild card race. The Red Sox lost to Baltimore 7-5 on Tuesday.
The Yankees, who increased their lead over the Red Sox to six games in the AL East, reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to two.
Curtis Granderson had three hits and four RBIs, including a three-run double in a four-run second inning, to take over the major league lead with 119 RBIs. He is 7-for-12 with eight RBIs in his last three games.
Staked to the early lead, Nova (16-4) scattered six hits to remain unbeaten since June 3. It marked the 10th time in his last 15 starts he has allowed two earned runs or fewer.
Yankees captain Derek Jeter reached a milestone with a pair of hits to move past Cap Anson for 19th place on the all-time career hits list with 3,082.
Rays starter Wade Davis (10-10) was knocked out after 4 2/3 innings. He allowed five runs on eight hits.