The races: Rays prevent Yankees from narrowing gap

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.— Nick Franklin hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the American League wild-card leading New York Yankees 6-3 on Tuesday night.

Hobbled Alex Rodriguez and Greg Bird homered for the Yankees, who remained three games behind AL East-leading Toronto, which lost 3-2 at Atlanta.

Franklin, who entered when shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera left after four innings with a left knee strain, put the Rays up 4-3 on his homer off Nick Rumbelow (1-1). Former Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia made it 6-3 on a two-run single in the eighth.

Rodriguez hit his 32nd homer this season and 686th of his career off Jake Odorizzi (8-8) in the first hours after the team learned he is playing with a bruised left knee.

Rodriguez moved past Craig Biggio into sole possession of 21st place on the all-time hit list with the 3,061st hit of his career.

Odorizzi allowed three runs and three hits in six innings. Brandon Gomes pitched the ninth for his first save.

Royals 2 Indians 0

Kris Medlen pitched five-hit ball over 6 1⁄3 innings and Alex Rios hit a home run that launched some unintentional fireworks, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 2-0 win over the Cleveland Indians.

Kansas City is three games ahead of Toronto for the best record in the American League.