Game 14: Yankees win 8-7

What appeared to be an easy victory during the first few innings became a nail biter after Ian Kennedy left the game. The Yankees saw their 7-2 lead evaporate in the seventh inning, but eventually won 8-7 Monday night against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Yankees' bats were hot from the beginning of the game. Johnny Damon hit his first home run of the season to lead off the game and Alex Rodriguez also added a solo home run. Rodriguez finished the night going 4-5 with one RBI.

Morgan Ensberg hit his first home run as a Yankee in the second inning to give the Yankees the early 3-0 lead. They would add four more runs in the fourth inning, as Damon hit a two-run double and Derek Jeter, in his first game since April 7, hit a two-run single. Damon went 2-5 with three RBI and Jeter went 2-5 with those two RBI.

Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine was charged with all seven runs in 3 1-3 innings of work. He also gave up nine hits while striking out two and walking one.

The Rays scored runs in the third and fourth innings, but Kennedy was solid. He went six innings, allowing eight hits and three earned runs while striking out four and walking two. He came out for the seventh inning, but was hit on the hip and left the game. He had thrown 94 pitches for 60 strikes.

After Kennedy left, things went downhill for the Yankees. Billy Traber gave up a two-run home run to Carl Crawford to cut the Yankees' lead to 7-4. After Carlos Pena was hit by a pitch, Brian Bruney (1-0) came in and quickly served up a two-run shot to B.J. Upton. Evan Longoria followed and hit a solo home run to tie the game at seven apiece. This was Longoria's first-career home run.

The Yankees quickly regained the lead in the top of the eighth. Al Reyes (1-2) gave up a one-out solo home run to pinch hitter Robinson Cano. Alberto Gonzalez had been playing second base as Cano was given the night off.

Mariano Rivera pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his fourth save of the year.

With the victory, the Yankees improve to 7-7 while the Rays fall to 6-7. Andy Pettitte and Edwin Jackson will face each other tomorrow night to conclude this brief two-game series.

Notes: Rodriguez's home run was the 521st of his career. This ties him with Ted Williams and Willie McCovey for 15th on the all-time list. ... The Yankees' eight runs and 15 hits were both season highs.

(AP Photo/Steve Nesius)