Yankees 3, Rays 1
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- First baseman Greg Bird had a double and a home run to lead the New York Yankees to a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday.
Bird's home run off Rays reliever Andrew Bellatti hit the 'C' ring of the catwalk -- well over the right-field wall -- and gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead in the top of the ninth.
That was all the Yankees pitching staff would need as Luis Severino (4-3) struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings to get the win. Andrew Miller struck out the side in the ninth for his 34th save.
Third baseman Chase Headley had an RBI single in the sixth inning that scored catcher Brian McCann to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.
Tampa Bay answered with a run in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI double from Steven Souza Jr. that scored first baseman James Loney.
The Yankees opened a 1-0 lead against Rays starter Chris Archer in the top of the second. Center fielder Carlos Beltran led off the inning with a walk and Bird roped a double into the right-center field gap that scored Beltran.
Tampa Bay threatened to tie the score in the top of the fifth when catcher Rene Rivera singled and designated hitter John Jaso doubled to put runners on second and third with one out. But Severino induced a harmless ground ball from right fielder Mikie Mahtook and third baseman Evan Longoria fouled out to the catcher.
NOTES: Yankees manager Joe Girardi has set his rotation for the weekend series against the Mets. RHP Masahiro Tanaka will pitch Friday, with RHP Michael Pineda and LHP CC Sabathia starting Saturday and Sunday, respectively. ... Rays SS Asdrubal Cabrera had an MRI exam and X-rays on his strained left knee Wednesday. Both results came up negative. "They are basically describing it as jumper's knee, kind of a basketball injury," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "It's more of a knee strain." Cash said Cabrera is day to day. ... Yankees RHP Ivan Nova will move out of the rotation and into the bullpen, Girardi said. Nova has a 6-8 record with a 5.11 ERA in 14 starts. ... Rays LHP Jake McGee and LHP Xavier Cedeno will throw a live batting practice session Thursday. Cash said Cedeno will likely return before McGee.