MLB: New York Yankees 4, Baltimore 3

BALTIMORE, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- A three-run homer by Alex Rodriguez with two out in the ninth inning Friday rallied the New York Yankees to a 4-3 victory over Baltimore.

The Yankees moved back into first place in the American League East by a half game over Tampa Bay, which surrendered a run in the ninth to suffer a 4-3 defeat the hands of the Los Angeles Angels Friday.

Rodriguez gave New York a 1-0 lead in the second with a homer but Baltimore starter Kevin Millwood did not allow another run through seven innings and Jim Johnson worked around a hit to throw a scoreless eighth.

Koji Uehara entered the game in the ninth in hopes of protecting a 3-1 cushion but he gave up a leadoff single by Jorge Posada.

Derek Jeter struck out, Curtis Granderson singled and Mark Teixeira popped up to third, bringing the Orioles within one out of a victory.

Rodriguez, however, hit a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left for his 25th homer.

That gave the win to David Robertson (4-4), who worked an inning in relief A.J. Burnett. Mariano Rivera threw 12 pitches in a perfect bottom of the ninth for his 31st save.

Robert Andino and Adam Jones homered for Baltimore, which had a three-game winning streak snapped.