Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Making his first start in nearly a month, Ivan Nova struck out eight over six-plus innings and the New York Yankees held off the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-3, in the middle test of a three-game set at Yankee Stadium.

Nova (12-7) had been sidelined since Aug. 21 with inflammation in his right rotator cuff, but the right-hander allowed just two runs on four hits and two walks to earn his first victory since Aug. 11.

Rafael Soriano fired a scoreless ninth to secure his 39th save of the season and New York's third win in its last four games.

Curtis Granderson clubbed a two-run home run and Eduardo Nunez followed with a solo shot in the third, as the Yankees regained a slim half-game lead over Baltimore atop the AL East. The Orioles continue their three-game set in Oakland later on Saturday.

James Shields (14-9) yielded four runs on six hits and a walk over 6 1/3 frames to absorb the loss.

Evan Longoria smacked a solo homer and Luke Scott ripped a pinch-hit, two-run single in the seventh, but the Rays lost for the fourth time in their last five games and fell 3 1/2 games behind the O's for the final AL Wild Card spot.

The Sports Network