by Alan McBride

NEW YORK, NY -- The Yankees CC Sabathia out-pitched Tampa's David Price for the first time in six match-ups Thursday night.

That helped power New York defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 in the final game of a three-game series.

The win for New York comes despite a couple of early errors that staked Price to an early 2-0 lead.

But Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano hit home runs off Price to put the Yankees ahead and Sabathia did the rest.

Sabathia was in complete control. He struck out 10, including B.J. Upton, who fanned in the 7th inning with two runners on base.

Sabathia was 0-3 against Price in five previous matchups. He improved his record to 5-0.

The Rays are in a tie with Baltimore for first place in the AL East. The Yankees are 2 1/2 games back.

In other state sports news...

• Orlando Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing says he would like to coach the lowly Charlotte Bobcats. Ewing is expected to be interviewed for the job soon.
• Jupiter golfer Tiger Woods is in danger of missing the cut for the second straight week. Woods shot an opening round 2-over-74 and is nine shots back at The Player's Championship. Lake Mary's Matt Kuchar finished at 4-under, three shots behind co-leaders Ian Poulter and Martin Laird.
• Tampa Bay Bucs defensive end Da'Quan Bowers tore his right Achilles tendon during an offseason workout and will undergo surgery. Meanwhile, the team released free agent quarterback Jordan Jefferson, the former LSU Tiger.