Nova On His Game As Yankees Take Down Rays

Ivan Nova (7-2) was nearly untouchable for eight innings and the Yankees' offense made good use of its five hits in a 4-1 win in the Bronx on Wednesday night to take the first two games of the series.

Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano each homered for New York, which has won five of six, jumping over the Rays in the standings, but remaining a 1/2 game behind Baltimore for the division lead.

Nova took a two-hitter into the ninth before giving up back-to-back triples to Desmond Jennings and B.J. Upton. His eight-plus inning performance was his longest of the season, and his four hits and one run allowed were both season lows.

Rafael Soriano relieved Nova and retired the next three Rays hitters to earn his eighth save.

Nick Swisher and Eric Chavez each added RBI-doubles, with all four runs coming off Tampa's Alex Cobb (2-2) - seven innings, four hits and one run.