The Yankees have actually won a series against the Devil Rays, as they won a back and forth 6-5 contest at Tropicana Field. The bullpen was very sharp as they gave us 2 and 2/3 innings without giving up a run. Chien-Ming Wang struggled a bit, going 6 and 1/3 and giving up 5 runs on 9 hits. The Indians and Red Sox both won, so the Yankees did not gain any ground on either race. However, the A's loss to the Indians puts them 2.5 games behind the Yankees in the standings.

The Yankees led 2-0 in the top of the 4th before the Devil Rays tied the score at two in the bottom of the inning. The Yankees regained a two-run lead in the 5th, but the D'Rays tied the score yet again in the bottom of the 5th. In the 7th, Derek Jeter launched a single into right field with the bases loaded and two outs to give the Bombers a 6-4 lead. The Yankees were finally able to hold that lead as Tampa Bay scored only once in the 7th and did not score again throughout. The Yankees used four relievers to hold the lead (Tanyon Sturtze threw only one pitch) and Mariano Rivera recorded his 38th save of the season.

Tonight Aaron Small will take his 7-0 record to the mound as he will face Seth McClung. McClung is 6-9 with a 6.32 E.R.A. in 31 appearances this season. He has made only 14 starts.