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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Facing the New York Yankees, Evan Longoria broke out of a mini-slump.
Longoria homered and drove in four runs, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Yankees 9-5 Saturday to send Michael Pineda to his sixth loss in his last seven decisions.
The Tampa Bay slugger had gone 2 for 19 over his previous five games but has 30 homers against the Yankees since reaching the majors in 2008.
Only Toronto's Jose Bautista (31) has gone deep more times over the stretch against New York. Longoria's 89 RBIs against the Yankees since 2008 are most by any opponent during the period.
"We know at the end of the day his numbers are going to be where they need to be," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "And he's going to get plenty of huge RBIs for us."
Longoria had a sacrifice fly during a three-run first, boosted the lead to 5-0 with a two-run homer in the second and chased Pineda with an RBI single in the fourth that made it 6-1.
Tampa Bay's scored its most runs at home this season.
"This is what we're capable of," Longoria said. "We've shown it in spurts. The thing for us is continue to believe we're capable of afternoons like today."
Pineda (2-6) allowed six runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings. His 6.92 ERA is the highest among 104 qualifying pitchers in the major leagues.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said there have no discussions about dropping Pineda from the rotation.
"As of right now, there's no changes," Girardi said. "He's got to fight, and we've got to help him be more consistent with his pitches. I think his velocity has been really consistent, and at times he's thrown the ball really well, so there's nothing that leads me to believe there's anything bothering him physically."
Matt Moore (2-3), winless in his six previous starts, gave up three runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings as the Rays won for the second time in eight games. New York lost for the third time in 10 games.
Carlos Beltran hit a solo homer off Moore in the fourth for his 2,500th hit. He is the 99th major leaguer, 10th switch-hitter and fourth Puerto Rico-born player to reach the mark.
"It means a lot," Beltran said. "I think it's a great accomplishment but right now we're trying to win ballgames. That's the main focus. I'm glad I've been able to play this game for a long time and I've been able to accomplish good things, but it would have been greater if we would have won this one."
Beltran left after six innings due to right shoulder tightness. He didn't rule out playing Sunday.
Tampa Bay took a 9-1 lead in the fifth when Hank Conger doubled his season RBIs total with a three-run homer. The Rays had just 23 runs in their previous seven games.
New York scored twice in seventh before Enny Romero struck out Alex Rodriguez on a 1-2 pitch with the bases loaded to end the inning.
A-Rod was hitless in five at-bats, including three strikeouts, and 1 for 13 in three games since returning from a strained right hamstring. His lone hit was a two-run homer in Friday night's 4-1 win.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Yankees: Mark Teixeira (neck) missed his fourth straight game but could take batting practice Sunday. Girardi said the first baseman might be back Monday.
Rays: 2B Logan Forsythe (left shoulder) will take his first swings Monday or Tuesday since getting hurt in early May. ... RHP Brad Boxberger, who should return soon from adductor surgery that has sidelined him all season, is not expected to immediately resume the closer role. "I don't know if it's the right thing to do just to stick him out there in a 2-1 ballgame the first day he comes out," Cash said.
UP NEXT
Yankees RHP Nathan Eovaldi (5-2) looks to extend his career-high stretch of winning four consecutive starts against Tampa Bay RHP Jake Odorizzi (2-2) in Sunday's series finale.
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