Bronx, NY -- (Sports Network) - Jason Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the seventh inning to tie the game and singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, as the New York Yankees salvaged the finale of a three- game series against the Boston Red Sox with a 3-2 victory in what was likely the last meeting between these storied rivals at the current Yankee Stadium. Not only did the Yankees manage to avoid a sweep, but they likely saved their season. A loss would have left New York eight games behind Boston in the AL wild card race, but the victory enabled the Yankees to pull within six games with 29 to play. The teams will also meet for three games at Fenway Park to conclude the season in September. The Red Sox stranded a runner at second base in the top of the ninth against Mariano Rivera (5-5) and the Yankees pulled off their eighth walkoff win in the bottom of the inning. Xavier Nady led off the home ninth against Justin Masterson (4-4) with a single up the middle. After Robinson Cano failed to bunt and lined out to third, pinch runner Brett Gardner stole second and Hideki Matsui was given an intentional walk. Ivan Rodriguez drew another free pass to load the bases for Giambi, who greeted closer Jonathan Papelbon with a single to center on an 0-2 pitch to plate Gardner with the winning run.

Final Score: Tampa Bay 3, Toronto 2

St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - Willy Aybar's solo home run in the sixth inning proved to be the difference, as Tampa Bay clipped Toronto, 3-2, in the finale of a three-game set from Tropicana Field. Cliff Floyd also homered and drove in the other two runs for the Rays, who took the final two games of the series and have won four of six overall. Coupled with Boston's 3-2 loss to the Yankees earlier Thursday, Tampa leads the Red Sox by 4 1/2 games in the AL East. Edwin Jackson (11-8) went seven-plus innings, allowing six hits and one run with two strikeouts. Dan Wheeler fanned two in his relief inning, earning his 10th save. Adam Lind and Rod Barajas knocked in a run each for the Blue Jays, who have dropped three of four. Jesse Litsch (9-8) took the loss for Toronto, yielding 10 hits and three runs over 6 2/3 innings, including a pair of home runs.

Final Score: LA Angels 7, Texas 5

Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Jon Garland persevered through eight innings, and Juan Rivera had a go-ahead three-run double, as the Los Angeles Angels came from four runs down to beat Texas, 7-5, in the opener of a four-game set. Garland (12-8) gave up four runs in the first inning, but finished with five runs allowed on eight hits and a walk, with three strikeouts. Francisco Rodriguez threw a scoreless ninth to nail down his 51st save of the season. Torii Hunter went 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, while Mark Teixeira added a solo home run for the Angels, who have won four of six. Brandon McCarthy was solid in a six-inning start for Texas, as he allowed just two runs -- one earned -- on six hits and a walk with two strikeouts. But after Joaquin Benoit tossed a scoreless frame of relief, Jamey Wright (6-6) lasted just one-third of an inning and was tagged with four runs on two hits and two walks to absorb the loss. Milton Bradley slugged a three-run homer, and Chris Davis added a solo shot as part of a two-hit, two-RBI day for the Rangers, whose three-game win streak was snapped.

Final Score: Oakland 3, Minnesota 2

Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Kurt Suzuki had a pinch-hit, game-winning double in the ninth to lead the Oakland Athletics in a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins in the opener of a four-game set. With the contest knotted at 2-2, Ryan Sweeney opened the ninth with a single off Craig Breslow (0-2) and moved to second on Daric Barton's sac bunt. Jesse Crain was called in from the 'pen to face pinch-hitter Emil Brown, who worked a walk before being replaced at first by Cliff Pennington. Suzuki then belted a double off the wall in left-center to score Sweeney for the 3-2 victory. Barton had the other RBI for the A's, who have won three of their last four games. Sweeney and Bobby Crosby both had two hits and scored a run in the win. Starter Dana Eveland pitched well but wound up with a no-decision, as he lasted seven innings and gave up two runs on five hits while walking three with a pair of strikeouts. Joey Devine (4-0) was dealt the win after tossing a scoreless ninth. Justin Morneau and Nick Punto both drove in a run for the Twins, who have dropped five of their last six. Starter Nick Blackburn lasted 5 2/3 innings and was touched for two runs on six hits while registering a pair of walks and as many strikeouts in the no-decision. With the loss, Minnesota fell 1 1/2 games back of the idle first-place Chicago White Sox in the AL Central and remained 2 1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the Wild Card standings. Boston fell to New York earlier Thursday.