MLB: N.Y. Yankees 4, Minnesota 3

MINNEAPOLIS, July 9 (UPI) -- Alex Rodriguez singled in the deciding run Wednesday and the New York Yankees held on to down Minnesota 4-3 for A.J. Burnett's third straight win.

The Yankees have defeated the Twins in all of their six meetings this season.

Burnett (8-4) gave up two runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings. He walked four and struck out two.

Brett Gardner singled in two runs during New York's three-run second and Rodriguez gave the Yankees a 4-2 lead in the fifth with a single that drove in Derek Jeter.

Joe Mauer brought the Twins within one with his 15th homer in the seventh and he also had an RBI double, but Mariano Rivera recorded the final four outs to pick up his 22nd save.

The loss went to rookie Anthony Swarzak (2-3), who got the start when Glen Perkins became ill Wednesday. Swarzak allowed four runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.

New York won for the 12th time in 14 games and remained a game behind Boston in the battle for the lead in the American League East.