The New York Yankees knew going into Thursday night's game that the Baltimore Orioles had already won, leaving them only one option if they wanted to stay tied first place: win.
The Yankees did just that, beating the Boston Red Sox 2-0 behind a strong start from Phil Hughes and a historic hit from shortstop Derek Jeter.
The Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in 14 innings to complete a three-game sweep. For a few hours they sat alone in first place by .5 games. The Orioles also clinched their first above-.500 season since 1997 with the win.
Jeter was in the lineup as designated hitter after injuring his ankle the previous night, but was still effective, hitting an RBI single in the seventh to put the Yankees up 2-0 and to put himself into the history books.
The hit was Jeter's 3,283rd of his career and put him into a tie for 10th place all-time alongside Willie Mays.
"It's kind of hard to think about it now because you're trying to win games, especially this time of year," Jeter told the Associated Press, "but I'd be lying to you if I didn't think it was special."
And he did it "on probably about one ankle," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "That's who he is. He's a fighter and he finds a way, and he gets the big hit tonight. It was impressive."
Before the hit Jeter had been 0-3 during the game and is now only 30 hits behind the ninth place Eddie Collins. He downplayed his injury, saying "I'm fine. Everything's good."
Hughes was fantastic for the Yankees when they needed him the most, earning his 15th win after giving up no runs and only five hits in 7 1/3 innings. He only allowed one walk and retired the first 10 batters he faced.
"Hughes pitched up in the strike zone and we couldn't lay off it," Boston manager Bobby Valentine said. "We were immature in our approach at times."
Hughes also ended a streak of seven straight games giving up a home a run.
The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the 4th inning off of an Andrew Jones sacrifice fly that scored Alex Rodriguez. It was all they would need on the night. The Yankees loaded the bases with no outs after a single from Rodriguez and walks to Robinson Cano and Russell Martin before Jones hit a fly ball to the outfield.
Boston starter Felix Doubrount gave up only two runs in 6 1/3 innings, but the Red Sox bats went quiet and offered no run support.
Yankees closer Rafael Soriano finished the game for his 38th save on the year.
The Yankees squandered a 10-game division lead since July and have gone 5-5 in their past 10 games on the road against Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Boston.
New York won two games in a row for the first time since August and will open a nine-game home stand with the Rays on Friday night.
Boston has been struggling mightily lately, losing 13 of 15 games.
"The atmosphere was a little dull in here for the first time in a long time," Hughes said, "just being the way the Red Sox season has gone this year. So, if anything, it felt like a normal game."
With the win, the Yankees tied and Orioles tied for first-place in the AL East for the sixth different time this month, which marks the first time that has happened to New York in franchise history.
On Friday two Cy Young-talented pitcher's will face off, with the Yankees throwing ace CC Sabathia (13-5), against David Price (17-5) for the Rays.
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