BALTIMORE, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Robinson Cano gave New York the lead with a solo homer during a two-run ninth Wednesday, boosting the Yankees over Baltimore 5-4.
Mariano Rivera allowed a Baltimore run in the ninth, but held on to claim his 43rd save and moved the Yankees into third place in the American League East, a half game in front of the Orioles.
The evening began with Tampa Bay, New York, Baltimore, Cleveland and Kansas City all separated by just 2 1/2 games in the race for the second wild card position in the American League.
It was a 3-3 tie heading into the ninth, but Cano led off the inning with a home run against Tommy Hunter (4-4). One out later Curtis Granderson tripled and he scored on a two-out, infield single by Lyle Overbay for a 5-3 cushion.
New York needed that extra run when Rivera gave up a two-out double to Nate McLouth in the bottom of the ninth and an RBI single to Brian Roberts.
Rivera then struck out Manny Machado swinging to end the game.
Reliever David Robertson (5-1) was credited with the win after working out of a jam in the eighth.
