ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — If the idea that the Yankees will remain viable contenders to win the American League East is anything other than lip service, it gained traction on Monday night.
The Yankees were no-hit for seven innings and down to their final out when they erupted for four runs in the ninth to beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-1.
The win pulled the Yankees three games from idle Toronto and kept their pursuers in the wild-card chase at bay for another day.
Alex Rodriguez tied the score by doubling in Brett Gardner, who had walked with two outs, and Slade Heathcott — just called up when Class-AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s season ended — belted a first-pitch home run to left field against the Rays’ All-Star closer, Brad Boxberger.