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Yankees Blast Rays 8-3

Bronx, NY (Sports Network) – Lance Berkman and Robinson Cano each hit a two- run double, as the New York Yankees widened their lead in the AL East with an 8-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

New York took the opener of this crucial four-game series Monday, and Tuesday’s victory puts the Yankees 2 1/2 games in front of the Rays.

The Yankees scored five runs in the first inning to back Phil Hughes (17-8), who took the victory after limiting Tampa Bay to three runs in 6 1/3 innings. He allowed four hits, walked five and struck out six.

Rays starter James Shields (13-13) went on to last 5 1/3 innings, but lost after giving up the five runs, seven hits and two walks.

Matt Joyce went 2-for-3 with a home run for Tampa Bay, which has lost four of its last five.

Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.