On the Yankees beat

Yankees (48-42) vs. Tampa Rays (55-34)

Sidney Ponson (5-1, 4.19) vs. Edwin Jackson (5-6, 4.08)

Last night Andy Pettite was phenomenal pitching eight shutout innings in a convincing 5-0 Yankees win. Derek Jeter's bat came to life and the Captain made the game-saving play in the field. Sidney Ponson takes the mound this afternoon as the Yanks look to inch closer to the first place Rays in the finale of this two game series.

Ponson struggled Wednesday night, giving up seven runs and nine hits over five-plus innings. The seven runs matched his season high in runs allowed, and he gave up two homers in the sixth inning. Ponson blamed the bad start on mechanics.

Jackson held the Royals to two runs and four hits over eight innings in his last start. On May 13 Jackson held the Yankees scoreless over seven innings, gave up just five hits and struck out five in an eventual 2-1 Rays win. The 24-year-old right-hander is 2-2 with a 4.42 ERA in 10 career appearances against the Yankees and is 2-1 with a 3.44 ERA in five career appearances at Yankee Stadium.

Joseph Staszewski takes you through today's game.

Top of the First: Ponson needs just 10 pitches and a double play to set the Rays down in order.

Bottom of the First: Giambi singles home Jeter, who extended his hitting streak to seven games, from third. Yankees 1, Rays 0

Top of the Second: Ponson gets out of a first and second and no one out jam.

Bottom of the Second: Yankees get just a single by Molina.

Top of the Third: Ponson strikes out the side and strands Upton at first with two outs.

Bottom of the Third: Posada grounds out hard to first to end the inning with A-Rod at second and Giambi at first.

Top of the Fourth: Ponson gets Reid Brignac to ground out weakly with runners on first and second and two outs.

Bottom of the Fourth: Yankees go in order

Top of the Fifth: Molina throws out Upton stealing second second to end the inning.

Bottom of the Fifth: A-Rod strikes out swinging with Gardner on the third and two outs.

Top of the Sixth: Carlos Pena leads of the inning with a solo homer to right center. Yankees 1, Rays 1.

Bottom of the Sixth: Yankees go 1-2-3.

Top of the Seventh: Jose Veras replaces Ponson and retires the Rays in order.

Bottom of the Seventh: Melky singles to start the inning and is bunted to second by Molina. Jackson is replaced by Howell. Gardner and Jeter both strike out looking on tough calls to end the inning.

Top of the Eight: Farnsworth comes on to retire the Rays in order.

Bottom of the Eight: Yankees go down 1-2-3.

Top of the Ninth: Rivera strikes out two and strands a one out walk at first.

Bottom of the Ninth: Posada draws a lead off walk. Christian comes on to pinch run and is bunted to second by Cano. Grant Balfour enters the game in play of Howell. Christian steals third. Melky strikes out swinging. Molina pops out to end the inning.

Top of the Tenth: Rivera stays on and gets the Rays easily in order.

Bottom of the Tenth: Jeter draws a two out walk. Abreu hits a long double into the gap in right to score Jeter from first and win it for the Yankees.

YANKEES WIN 2-1