Jeter, Pettitte help Yankees shut out Rays

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A superb piece of fielding by Derek Jeter and excellent pitching from Andy Pettitte helped the New York Yankees narrow the gap on the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays with a 5-0 victory on Tuesday.

The Rays, who had the worst record (66-96) in the major leagues last season, dropped to 55-34 with the loss, but still have the best record in the majors so far this season.

The Yankees improved to 48-42, 7.5 games behind the Rays, who still hold a three-game lead over the second-placed World Series champion Boston Red Sox.

Pettitte pitched eight innings, gave up four hits and struck out five for the win, while Edwar Ramirez finished up with a one-two-three ninth inning.

Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir struck out five of the first six batters he faced, but gave up a two-run double to right by Jeter in the third inning.

Jeter also contributed some stellar fielding to keep the Rays off the scoreboard in the seventh.

With men on first and third and two out, the Yankees captain snared a grounder by Willy Aybar deep in the shortstop hole, leaped and twisted in the air to throw to second baseman Robinson Cano for a force out that saved a run.

"Pitching and defense," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "We know the importance of the game. We know we have to play better if we want to play October baseball.

"I look at the play Jeter made in the hole. That would have made it 2-1. The play Jeter made was a huge play.

"It's a great play and he makes it as good as anybody -- the control with which he's able to do it, to jump and spin and make the throw right on the money."

Girardi also praised Pettitte.

"He was outstanding with his location and got into a great rhythm," the manager said.

The game stayed at 2-0 until the Yankees broke it open in the eighth inning with three runs off two relievers, the first on a lead-off homer by Melky Cabrera.

Pettitte improved to 10-6, while Kazmir fell to 7-4.

Pettitte said the Yankees were stepping up at the right time, adding Tuesday's win over Tampa Bay after taking the last two games of their series against Boston.