ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – A day after the Yankees clinched a playoff berth, Phil Hughes kept alive New York’s slim hopes in the AL East.

The rookie right-hander allowed four hits in seven innings, and Jose Molina delivered a two-run single Thursday night to lead the Yankees over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 3-1.

Joba Chamberlain pitched on consecutive days for the first time, striking out B.J. Upton to escape a jam with runners at first and second in the eighth inning. The Yankees have brought the rookie along slowly, but Joba Rules have been eased during the past week, putting him in position where he can be used relatively freely in the postseason.

Chamberlain has allowed just one earned run in 23 2-3 innings since joining the Yankees in August and has struck out 34.

Jose Veras pitched the ninth, completing a six-hitter for his second career save.

New York, which rested Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and four other regulars, began the day three games behind first-place Boston.

The Yankees finish the regular season with a weekend series at Baltimore before opening the playoffs, likely at Cleveland.

With a playoff berth already in hand, manager Joe Torre rested Rodriguez, Jeter, Jorge Posada, Bobby Abreu, Melky Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz.