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By Scott Boeck
The Tampa Bay Rays swept the New York Yankees in a two-game series and won their sixth straight.
Yes, the Rays won both at Yankee Stadium. Up until last week, they had lost six in a row in New York.
"This ballpark didn't treat us kindly last year," manager Joe Maddon said after an 8-6 win. "It was important to show that we can win here. It's important in regards to the mental factor."
Maddon has his club in great command of the AL East. The Rays have opened a five-game lead over the Yankees, and they've proven they can win at home and on the road.
The Rays improved to a remarkable 17-4 on the road and 30-11 overall.
"These guys are hot as a pistol right now. Anytime we make a mistake, they are on it," Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez said.
The East division is full of firepower. Four of the five teams - Rays, Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox - are above .500. And one of the perennial powerhouses - the Yankees or Red Sox - could be playing for the wild card if the Rays continue their streak.
Also noteworthy in the AL:
- DUEL OF THE DAY: In what was supposed to be a matchup of two premier left-handers - Red Sox's Jon Lester and Twins' Francisco Liriano - it became a runnaway for Lester. Lester threw his first complete game win of the season and needed just 98 pitches. Liriano exited the game with two outs in the fifth inning. With the victory, Lester lifted his winning percentage to .719, the best ever for a pitcher with at least 100 starts.
"That's great," Lester said without a smile. "But that's just a testament to the teams that I've been on. It's easy to pitch when guys score runs."
- Employee No. 24 came through for the Seattle Mariners. Ken Griffey Jr., who according to a report was unavailable to pinch-hit in an earlier loss because he was sleeping in the clubhouse, got his 10th game-ending hit of his career. It was the first game-ending hit of Seattle's disappointing season.
For the rest of the story, visit USAToday.com
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