NEW YORK, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Alex Rodriguez went 3-for-3 Monday to lead the New York Yankees to a 4-1 win over Tampa Bay in the first game of a Labor Day doubleheader.
CC Sabathia allowed one run on three hits and four walks while striking out 10 in the Yankees' ninth win in 11 games. New York moved 8 1/2 games ahead of Boston in the AL East with 24 games to play.
Jorge Posada and Eric Hinske each drove in a run for New York.
Mariano Rivera got his 39th save and Phil Hughes (6-3) was credited with the win for pitching a scoreless eighth inning.
Evan Longoria hit his 29th home run of the season for Tampa Bay, which lost its fifth straight game. The Rays remain seven games behind the Red Sox in the AL wild-card chase.
Tampa Bay's Matt Garza allowed one unearned run on five hits and a walk in seven innings.
Lance Cormier (2-2) took the loss for allowing three runs in one-third of an inning.
