NEW YORK – Derek Jeter delivered with his bat and glove, backing a determined effort by Andy Pettitte that led the New York Yankees to a much-needed, 5-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.

Jeter lined an early go-ahead double off All-Star Scott Kazmir, then made a stellar play in the seventh inning that preserved a two-run lead and prompted a sellout crowd to chant his name. Pettitte needed little other help in pitching eight sharp innings.

Playing smartly, and perhaps with a sense of urgency, the third-place Yankees avoided falling 9 games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East.

The Rays, with the best record in majors, lost two in row for the first time since June 10-11.

Tigers 9, Indians 2

DETROIT – Miguel Cabrera hit two home runs, Marcus Thames had one and Justin Verlander was dominant after a shaky start, lifting the Detroit Tigers to a 9-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.

The surging Tigers (45-44) lead the majors with 21 wins since June 7.

Cardinals 2, Phillies 0

PHILADELPHIA – Joel Pineiro and three relievers combined on a six-hitter, Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick hit solo homers and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0 on Tuesday night. Pineiro (3-4) allowed five hits and walked three in 6 1-3 innings for his first win since April 29. The right-hander was 0-2 with seven no-decisions in his previous nine starts.

D-backs 2, Nationals 0

WASHINGTON – Brandon Webb earned his major league leading 13th win, pitching six scoreless innings in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

Webb (13-4) struck out six and allowed six hits and two walks in his first start since being chosen for the NL All-Star team for a third straight year. It was the 16th time in his 19 starts Webb lasted at least six innings.

After Webb left, Arizona’s bullpen did not allow a baserunner. Chad Qualls pitched the seventh, Tony Pena the eighth and Brandon Lyon pitched the ninth for his 19th save.

Mets 7, Giants 0

NEW YORK – Mike Pelfrey outpitched All-Star Tim Lincecum to win his fifth straight start, Carlos Beltran drove in four runs and the surging New York Mets beat the San Francisco Giants 7-0 on Tuesday night.

Beltran hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Carlos Delgado also connected off Lincecum (10-2) to help the Mets win their fourth in a row. After taking the final three contests of a four-game series in Philadelphia last weekend, New York is suddenly only 1 games behind the first-place Phillies in the NL East.

Blue Jays 7, Orioles 6

TORONTO – Alex Rios scored when shortstop Freddie Bynum couldn’t handle a grounder in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-6 Tuesday night.

Rios drew a one-out walk off right-hander Jim Johnson (2-3), then stole second and went to third on a throwing error by catcher Ramon Hernandez as Vernon Wells struck out. Matt Stairs was intentionally walked to bring up Scott Rolen, who lined a grounder off Bynum’s glove and into left field, scoring Rios.

Bynum entered the game as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the ninth after Jay Payton pinch-hit for Brandon Fahey in the top of the inning.