Rays  2    Yankees  4

Recap: NY Yankees vs. Tampa Bay

Sports Network | September 10, 2009

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Jorge Posada slugged a pinch-hit, three-run homer during a four-run eighth inning, giving the Yankees a 4-2 comeback win over Tampa Bay on a night Derek Jeter tied Lou Gehrig's franchise mark of 2,721 hits.

Jeter's third hit of the night came in the seventh inning, a patented opposite-field single to right field, tying him with the "Iron Horse." The shortstop had a chance to eclipse the mark in the eighth, but worked a walk two batters after Posada's dramatic home run.

"I was a Yankees fan growing up. Coming up through the organization I know a lot about the history," Jeter said. "[Gehrig is] probably one of the classiest people to ever play the game. To be alongside him, at least for a day, is quite an accomplishment."

The blast made a winner of Jonathan Albaladejo (5-1), who hurled two perfect innings of relief for AL East-leading New York, which swept the four-game set. Joba Chamberlain, on a strict pitch count, gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in three innings.

Jason Bartlett hit a solo homer for Tampa Bay, which recorded just three hits in its season-high eighth straight loss, falling further out of playoff contention.

The Rays bullpen couldn't hold the lead behind rookie Jeff Niemann, who continued his strong campaign by holding the Yankees to one run on eight hits and a walk in seven-plus innings, with eight strikeouts.

"Jeff was excellent," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "He had all of his pitches working, great composure, great command. It may have been his best outing of the year."

Niemann was pulled in the eighth after surrendering a leadoff single to Alex Rodriguez. Lance Cormier (2-3) came in and gave up a single to Hideki Matsui, and Nick Swisher bounced to first for a possible double play.

But Chris Richard threw the ball into left field, allowing Rodriguez to score and Matsui to wind up on third. Cormier was removed for Brian Shouse, who struck out Robinson Cano. Grant Balfour then entered and served up Posada's homer to right on a payoff pitch, putting the Yankees in front.

With Mariano Rivera unavailable, Brian Bruney toed the rubber to start the ninth for the hosts. The reliever got two fly outs after walking Evan Longoria to open the frame, and Phil Coke fanned pinch-hitter Gabe Kapler to pick up his second save of the year.

Bartlett got the Rays off on the right foot with a leadoff homer down the left-field line to open the game.

Carl Crawford followed with a single, moved up to second on a wild pitch and stole third before Pat Burrell knocked a base hit to left for a 2-0 game.

The Yankees stranded a runner in scoring position in every inning, save for the third and sixth frames.

Gehrig had been in sole possession of the hits lead since 1939...Jeter, who was 0-for-12 in his previous three games, recorded his 300th career stolen base in the first inning...It was Posada's second pinch-hit home run this year and fourth of his career...Bartlett's leadoff homer was the second of his career...New York, which last recorded a four-game sweep of the Rays on September 6-9, 2004, leads the season series, 10-5...The Yanks left 10 runners on base, going 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position..The game marked the Yankees' league-high 45th come-from-behind win this season.