MLB: New York Yankees 11, Atlanta 7

ATLANTA, June 25 (UPI) -- Johnny Damon and Alex Rodriguez both had four-RBI games Thursday in carrying the New York Yankees past Atlanta 11-7.

New York took an early 8-1 lead, survived a five-run Atlanta fourth and held on to win two out of three in the series.

Rodriguez hit a solo homer in the first, had an RBI single in the second and drove in two runs with a base hit in the seventh. Damon produced a bases-loaded triple in the third and a run-scoring single in the eighth.

New York's Andy Pettitte, seeking his eighth win of the season, got the start but lasted only 3 2/3 innings. The win went to Alfredo Aceves (5-1), who threw 2 1/3 shutout innings while giving up two hits.

Casey Kotchman had a two-run double in Atlanta's big inning and Yunel Escobar drove in two more with a single. The Braves, however, could not score again until Brian McCann hit a solo homer leading the ninth.

That brought Atlanta within four runs and, after the Braves put runners on first and second with two out, Mariano Rivera came in to replace David Robertson and got the final out for his 17th save.