by Steve Carney

The Tampa Bay Rays took a page out of the New York Yankees' book.

Alex Cobb picked up his ninth win, and a trio of Rays hit home runs, as Tampa Bay earned their fourth straight win with a 5-2 victory over the Yankees.

Cobb's night didn't start so well, as he walked Nick Swisher with two out in the first inning, and Robinson Cano made the right-hander pay, launching a deep home run to left field that put New York up 2-0 early.

The Rays did cut the lead in half in their half of the inning, as Desmond Jennings led off drawing a walk off Freddy Garcia, stealing second base, and scoring on a double down the left-field line by B.J. Upton.

After the first, Cobb settled down, allowing just three more hits -- all singles -- in the last six innings he pitches, earning his ninth win on the year.

Tampa Bay took the lead in the third inning, as Garcia walked Ben Zobrist with two out in the inning.  Evan Longoria then blasted his tenth homer of the season to left to turn the 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead.

Tampa Bay tacked on a pair in the fifth thanks to back-to-back solo homers from Jennings and Upton.

Joel Peralta struck out the side in the eighth, and Fernando Rodney threw a scoreless ninth for his league leading 42nd save.

The win moves the Rays to within a game and a half of the American League East lead, with the Yankees and Baltimore Orioles now tied atop the standings.

Tampa Bay can complete the sweep Wednesday, with Matt Moore (10-8, 3.58 ERA) taking on Hiroki Kuroda (12-10, 3.04 ERA).  Pregame coverage on 620 WDAE starts at 6:30, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10.