Rays strikeout 16 times in loss to Yankees

Associated Press Sports

updated 7:24 p.m. ET July 4, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - The New York Yankees finally stopped a long skid at Tropicana Field.

Robinson Cano hit a two-run single during a three-run eighth and the Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 on Wednesday.

Cano has driven in at least one run in a career-best eight consecutive games, helping the AL East leaders stop a nine-game road losing streak against the Rays.

"0-9 here, you want to be able to win and get over it," Cano said.

Alex Rodriguez cut the Yankees' deficit to 3-2 when he drew a one-out bases-loaded walk, the fourth freebie issued by Kyle Farnsworth (0-1) in the eighth. Jake McGee came on and allowed Cano's single that put New York ahead.

"I was just thinking about making contact," said Cano, who had been 1 for 13 this season with the bases loaded.

Farnsworth was making just his second appearance of the season after being out with a strained right elbow. Tampa Bay's regular eighth-inning set-up man, Joel Peralta, had pitched in three of the previous four games.

"Kyle Farnsworth is a big part of our present and our future," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "For us to get to the promised land, he's got to perform well, which he shall. I've never seen him do that before, but he just needs a little more work. His stuff was fine, he was just missing a little bit."

Carlos Pena hit a two-run shot off Boone Logan (3-0) as the Rays went up 3-1 in the seventh.

After David Robertson pitched a scoreless eighth, Rafael Soriano got the final three outs for his 19th save in 20 opportunities.

"A tremendous win for us," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "This has been a tough place for us. It's nice to get a win."

Mark Teixeira got the Yankees even at 1-all on a solo homer to start the seventh. Rodriguez followed with a double, but was returned to second after apparently stealing third with one out after it was ruled that plate umpire Mike Estabrook interfered with catcher Jose Lobaton's throw to third. Andruw Jones then hit a long fly to right that likely would have scored A-Rod.

Rodriguez did steal third with two outs, but the Yankees failed to score when Russell Martin, mired in a 0-for-27 slide, hit a grounder.

David Price, bidding to become the AL's first 12-game winner, gave up one run and four hits over seven innings. The left-hander departed his previous start last Friday after seven innings due to lower back tightness.

"It was a typical AL East game and they beat us," Price said.

Cano got the first hit against Price, a fifth-inning single. The AL All-Star struck out eight and walked two.

"It's the best I've seen his curveball," Girardi said. "When you add that with the other stuff, the fastball up to 98, the back-door cutter, the changeup, he had no-hit stuff."

Ben Zobrist walked against New York starter David Phelps, stole second and scored to make it 1-0 on Sean Rodriguez's single with two outs in the fourth.

Phelps, filling in for injured ace CC Sabathia, allowed one run and two hits over 4 1-3 innings in his first start since May 9. He struck out eight, walked three and hit two batters.

"Let's give Phelps some props," Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher said. "I think he did a tremendous job."

Sabathia is on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained left groin. He is scheduled to throw off a mound Sunday and could rejoin the rotation right after the All-Star break.

NOTES: Cano has an 11-game hitting streak. ... Rodriguez is 7 for 7 in stolen base attempts this season. ... Tampa Bay 3B Jeff Keppinger left after two innings because of a bruised left biceps. X-rays were negative. ... Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain, who dislocated his right ankle bouncing on a trampoline with his son March 22, threw off a bullpen mound in preparation for a simulated game on Friday. ... Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson, hit in the right shin by Prince Fielder's liner in last Saturday's game against Detroit, is set to make his scheduled start Thursday night at Cleveland. ... New York OF Brett Gardner (right elbow) could start taking dry swings in the next couple days.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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