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Rays-Yankees Preview

Jul 17, 2010 - 5:09 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Tampa Bay (54-34) at New York (56-32), 4:10 p.m. EDT

Sheer emotion might help lead the New York Yankees to a winning series as they continue to mourn the passing of owner George Steinbrenner.

The same day the Steinbrenner family is scheduled to hold a private funeral for the longtime owner in Florida, the Yankees try for a third straight victory Saturday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.

A few hours after a pregame ceremony honored Steinbrenner, who died of a heart attack at age 80 on Tuesday, the AL East-leading Yankees (57-32) opened up a three-game lead over Tampa Bay by rallying for a 5-4 win Friday.

"(Steinbrenner) wanted to win every game," catcher Jorge Posada said. "162-0 he wanted us to do."

Nick Swisher hit a tying home run in the eighth, then singled home the winning run in the ninth as the Yankees won for the ninth time in 10 games.

"It's just one of those moments, another one of those special moments here at Yankee Stadium," shortstop Derek Jeter said. "It seems like every time you come here there's an opportunity to see something special."

While Steinbrenner's funeral will be held Saturday in Tampa, Fla., more ceremonies will take place during Old-Timers Day at Yankee Stadium.

Playing their first series in 37 1/2 years without their blustery owner, the Yankees have a chance to further distance themselves from the second-place Rays (54-35). The teams have split six games against each other in 2010, and have 12 remaining.

Swisher went 3 for 5 with three RBIs on Friday. The All-Star is 11 for 25 with three home runs in his last six games and 7 for 19 with two homers against the Rays this season.

The Yankees turn to A.J. Burnett (7-7, 4.75 ERA) as he tries for a third straight strong start.

Burnett has allowed two runs in 13 2-3 innings over his last two outings. Both runs came in seven innings of a 6-2 win at Oakland on July 7. It was Burnett's first victory since May 30.

"It always starts upstairs," Burnett said of being mentally tough while going 0-5 in his previous six starts. "Not letting the little things bother you, other than what you can control. It's just a matter of staying even keel out there."

The right-hander is 12-5 with a 2.98 ERA in 23 starts against Tampa Bay. However, he allowed six runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 10-6 home loss to the Rays on May 19.

Evan Longoria is 11 for 30 against Burnett. The Tampa Bay All-Star went 1 for 4 with an RBI on Friday. Carl Crawford, who had two hits in the opener, is a lifetime .340 hitter versus Burnett.

Tampa Bay's Jeff Niemann (7-3, 2.77) comes out of the break to face New York for the first time this season. He is 1-0 with a 2.93 ERA in three starts against the Yankees.

The right-hander left Sunday's 6-5, 10-inning win over Cleveland after five innings because of back stiffness. Niemann, who allowed three runs, did not seem too concerned with the injury.

"A little bit of tightness," Niemann said. "It really wasn't anything big and it shouldn't affect the second half."

Despite Friday's loss, the Rays have won 10 of 13.