MLB: N.Y. Yankees 6, Tampa Bay 2

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 29 (UPI) -- Joba Chamberlain equaled the longest outing of his career by going eight innings Wednesday in helping the New York Yankees down Tampa Bay 6-2.

Chamberlain (7-2) won his third straight start. He did not allow a run, surrendered three hits and struck out five. In his last 21 2/3 innings, Chamberlain has given up only two runs and eight hits.

New York bounced back from just its second loss since the All-Star break by producing three solo homers among its 12 hits. The Yankees extended their lead over Boston in the American League East to 3 1/2 games.

Robinson Cano hit a home run in the sixth to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead and New York added some insurance in the ninth with long balls by both Melky Cabrera and Mark Teixeira. It was the 26th home run of the year for Teixeira, tying him with Minnesota's Justin Morneau for the league lead.

Tampa Bay's runs came on a ninth-inning homer by Evan Longoria off Brian Burney.

Matt Garza (7-8) took the loss, giving up three runs on eight hits in seven innings.