Nova Steady as Yankees Defeat Slumping Rays

Ivan Nova took a two-hitter into the ninth inning, Mark Teixiera and Robinson Cano homered and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second straight night, 4-1 Wednesday.

Nick Swisher and Eric Chavez had RBI doubles in the eighth inning to help the Yankees win for the 10th time in 13 games and pass Tampa Bay in the tight AL East standings for the first time since April 23.

Tampa Bay lost for the sixth time in eight games and dropped to third place after at least holding a share of the division lead since May 27.

Nova (7-2) and Alex Cobb locked in a duel until Cobb (2-2) tired in the eighth.