This game looked like a laugher early, but ended up being another nail biter. Last night both teams combined for only one run in eleven innings but tonight the Yankees jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and rookie Ivan Nova was cruising through the first four innings.

The six Yankee runs were highlighted by a two run home run from Robinson Cano and a solo shot from Alex Rodriguez.

However, in the fifth, Ivan Nova imploded. Carlos Pena led off the inning with a home run to center. That was followed by a double down the line from B.J. Upton.

Brignac was retired but John Jaso singled the second run in. Ben Zobrist was retired for the second out but Nova could not get the third out to qualify for the win. Carl Crawford walked and that was followed by an RBI single from Evan Longoria and an RBI single from Matt Joyce. The scored was 6-4.

Boone Logan would replace Nova with two outs and two runners on. Willy Aybar pinch hit and Logan got two strikes on him with fast balls on the outside corner. He tried a breaking pitch which hung down and in and Aybar blasted it for a three run home run and a Tampa Bay lead at 7-6.

The Yankees would fight right back in the sixth with an RBI broken bat hit from Robinson Cano to tie the score.

The bullpens were great on both sides. Logan was followed by Chamberlain, Wood, Robertson and Rivera. Logan allowed only one run on the home run, but the rest of the bullpen held the Rays scoreless. Kerry Wood has been masterful since being acquired from Cleveland near the trade deadline.

Robertson pitched the bottom of the ninth and was helped out with a diving catch from Curtis Granderson on a shot up the alley from Zobrist. His spectacular grab ended the inning.

In the tenth, Jorge Posada would pinch hit and lead off with a monster home run off the roof above the center field wall. The Yankees could not add any more runs and Rivera was handed an 8-7 lead to try and save.

Carl Crawford led off with a line single to right. The hearts of all Yankee fans momentarily collapsed as Evan Longoria hit a ball to deep center which Granderson caught a few steps in front of the wall. Crawford stole second with Matt Joyce hitting. Joyce would fly out to medium right field and Greg Golson would nab Crawford as he tried to go to third on the catch. The throw was short hopped by A-Rod and the tag applied to end the game.

For Rivera, it is his 30th save on the season in 33 save opportunities. His record is 3-3. The save was also the 556th of his career. His 2010 season ERA now stands at 1.33.

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