Rays Squeak By Yankees Late

ST. PETERSBURG – Mark Teixeira made his first error of the season to help the Tampa Bay Rays to come back and beat the New York Yankees 4-3.  Sean Rodriguez walked with one out in the seventh inning, and was doubled home by pinch-hitter Brooks Conrad‘s double to right field.

That set the stage for Elliot Johnson who hit a ground ball to Teixeira, who missed played the ball allowing Conrad to score.

Joel Peralta pitched a perfect eighth inning to set up Rays closer Fernando Rodney who pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his 23rd save of the season. B.J. Upton and Carlos Pena hit solo home runs for the Rays.

Matt Moore (5-5) gave up three runs and scattered nine hits over seven innings to win his fourth straight decision. The win helped the Rays stay close to the Yankees who began the day seven a half games in front of the Rays.

Rays Game Notes: Hideki Matsui left the game with what was diagnosed as a tweaked hamstring ( tigtness) . Matsui entered play Monday with just a .177/.235/.266 batting line and two homers over 25 games with the Rays.

Pena received a day off Sunday and returned with a homer, taking Freddy Garcia deep. He’s now homered 12 times this season and pushed his average up to an even .200.