After paying tribute to George Steinbrenner before the game, the New York Yankees gave their late owner what he really would have wanted - a dramatic win.

Nick Swisher singled home the winning run off Lance Cormier with two out in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Yankees a 5-4 walk-off victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night at Yankee Stadium.

It capped a banner night for Swisher, who went 3-for-5 with three RBIs as the Yankees extended their lead over the Rays to three games in the American League East.

Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada also belted solo homers for New York, which won for the ninth time in 10 games.

Mariano Rivera (3-1) earned the win with a scoreless ninth.

It marked the ninth consecutive year that the Yankees have won their first game following the All-Star break, tying a major league record.

Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia, who had won his previous eight starts, struggled with his control throughout. He went seven innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out six and walking four.

Rays starter James Shields was cruising along until he was rocked for back-to-back homers by Cano and Posada with two out in the sixth. He gave up three runs on four hits while striking out five and walking two.

Randy Choate (2-3) took the loss.