The Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees on Friday night, getting them to .500 at 61-61.

The Rays are just the fourth team in Major League history to reach .500 after falling 18 games under in the same season.

"Really proud of the boys," Joe Maddon said. "It was not easy."

The Rays, now 61-61, were 24-42 on June 10. They are trying to become the first club to finish with a winning record after being so far under.

Tampa Bay is nine games back in the American League East and 5.5 games back in the Wild Card race.