MLB: New York Yankees 5, Tampa Bay 3

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NEW YORK, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Ivan Nova was effective through his six innings and New York's bullpen yielded just one run the rest of the way to secure the Yankees' 5-3 win over Tampa Bay.

Nova (12-7) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out eight.

After Boone Logan coughed up a run, Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson combined for 1 2/3 scoreless frames and Rafael Soriano survived a hit and a walk in the ninth to nail down his 39th save as the Yankees evened their three-game set.

Curtis Granderson socked his 39th homer -- a two-run shot -- and Eduardo Nunez contributed a bases-empty blast for New York, which came into the contest tied with Baltimore for the top spot in the American League East.

James Shields (14-9) was saddled with the loss, yielding four runs on six hits over 6 1/3 frames.

Luke Scott drove in two runs and Evan Longoria socked a solo homer for Tampa Bay, which fell four games off the pace in the AL East and 3 1/2 games behind in the race for a wild card spot.