Bronx, NY (My Sportsbook) - The New York Yankees will attempt to stay in the lead for the best record in the American League this evening when they finish up their four-game set with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Yankee Stadium.

New York has won the last two contests after dropping the series opener. On Wednesday, the Yankees posted a 4-3 win. Alfonso Soriano's second double of the game knocked in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning.

Derek Jeter went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in and a run scored for New York. The Yankees reached the 100-win plateau for the 16th time in franchise history and for the first time since their 114-victory season of 1998.

Soriano, who was 2-for-5, is still one homer shy of becoming the fourth player with 40 homers and 40 stolen bases. He now has 51 doubles this season, two shy of Don Mattingly's Yankee record of 53 in 1986.

Jeff Weaver (11-11) earned the win with three innings of two-hit ball in Jeff Weaver (11-11) earned the win with three innings of two-hit ball in relief of Roger Clemens. Mariano Rivera, in his third appearance since coming off the disabled list this past weekend, retired the side in order in the

ninth for his 28th save.

Clemens went the first five innings and surrendered three runs -- all in the first -- on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

The Devil Rays, who took two-of-three from New York last week in St. Petersburg, fell to 6-4 in their last 10 games.

Tanyon Sturtze (4-18) took the loss. He was tagged for four runs -- three earned -- on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. The righthander became the first AL pitcher to lose 18 games since Minnesota's Scott Erickson had 19 losses in 1993. Albie Lopez lost 19 games for Tampa Bay and Arizona last season.

Tampa Bay will pin its hopes on Joe Kennedy this evening. Kennedy has won just one of his last four decisions and hasn't strung together back-to-back victories since early August. Last time on the hill, Kennedy allowed four hits and three unearned runs over five frames. He struck out three and walked one in the no-decision.

Kennedy has struggled against the Yankees in 2002, going just 1-2 with a 5.60 ERA versus them. For his lifetime, Kennedy is 2-3 with a 5.30 ERA versus New York.

Kennedy has been decent on the road, going 4-5 with a 5.44 earned run average in 17 contests this year.

New York will answer with veteran southpaw Andy Pettitte. Pettitte has won four straight starts and eight of his last nine decisions since August 25. The lefty was stellar in his last outing, allowing just five hits and two runs over seven innings against Detroit. He fanned six and walked two in the winning effort.

Pettitte has been outstanding against the D-Rays in 2002, tallying a 2-0 record with a 0.68 ERA versus them. For his career, Pettitte has posted a 9-1 mark with a 3.03 ERA against Tampa Bay.

Pettitte has been nearly unbeatable at home this season, tallying an 8-2 record with a 3.48 ERA in 10 contests.

New York leads the season series, 13-5. The Devil Rays have gone 2-7 in the Bronx this year. Since last season, the Yankees are 15-3 at home against Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay is 24-53 on the road this season, while the Yankees are 52-28 at home.