Abreu's 10th-inning double lifts Yankees over Rays

[July 10, 2008]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Bobby Abreu hit a game-winning double off Grant Balfour in the 10th inning, and the New York Yankees cooled off the Tampa Bay Rays with a 2-1 victory Wednesday.

Jason Giambi singled in a run for the Yankees, who gave out 20,000 replica mustaches to fans to support the All-Star candidacy of Giambi, whose hot streak coincided with his decision to grow a mustache.

New York has won four straight after losing five of six, closing within 6 1/2 games of the surprising Rays, who lead the AL East. The Rays have lost three in a row for the first time since they were swept at Boston from June 3-5.

Tampa Bay went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and is 2-for-28 (.071) in that situation during the three losses.

Derek Jeter walked with one out against Balfour (2-1), who hadn't allowed a run in his previous 10 appearances. Abreu fell behind 0-2, then doubled to right-center as Jeter scored without a throw to the plate. It was Abreu's first game-ending hit with the Yankees.

After Carlos Pena's tying homer off Sidney Ponson leading off the sixth, Ponson, Jose Veras, Kyle Farnsworth and Mariano Rivera (4-3) didn't allow another hit. Rivera has pitched two innings in consecutive outings for the first time since Aug. 20 and 27, 2006.

Ponson gave up one run and five hits in six innings, the second time in three starts he pitched well since the Yankees signed him last month. He allowed at least one runner every inning and left the bases loaded in the second when Reid Brignac, playing his third big league game, flied out.

Pena's sixth-inning homer, on a 1-2 pitch, ended a stretch of 17 consecutive scoreless innings for Yankees pitchers and 14 in a row for Rays batters.

Edwin Jackson matched Ponson, allowing a run and six hits in 6 1-3 innings. He left with a runner on second, and J.P. Howell threw called third strikes past rookie Brett Gardner and Jeter. Gardner was called out on strikes three times.

New York went ahead in the first when Jeter singled with one out and scored on a two-out single by Giambi. The Yankees pushed a runner to third with one out in the ninth, but Balfour struck out Melky Cabrera and retired Jose Molina on a popout.

Notes: A sign taped to the Yankees clubhouse door: "Do not drive your car to the stadium on Wednesday. Because of the All-Star game, no cars will be allowed to remain in the parking lot while we are on the road. If you need one, a car service will be provided free of charge." ... Tampa Bay 3B Evan Longoria was selected AL rookie of the month after hitting .300 with eight homers and 19 RBIs in June. ... Molina, who made his fifth straight start, has thrown out 24 of 50 runners attempting to steal. ... LF Johnny Damon (sprained shoulder) has moved his rehab program to the Yankees' minor league complex in Tampa, Fla. He underwent treatment at the facility on Wednesday. ... New York RHP Brian Bruney (foot) struck out two during a perfect inning in his third Gulf Coast League game. "So far, so good," Bruney said. The reliever is to pitch for Double-A Trenton this weekend. ... New York RHP Jonathan Albaladejo played catch for the first time since hurting his elbow in May.

[Associated Press; By RONALD BLUM]

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