Beginning an important four-game series against the Yankees in the Bronx on Thursday night, the Rays took Game 1 with a 5-1 victory. Tampa Bay is in the midst of 11-straight games against New York and Boston, which they trail in the American League East. "I really believe it brings out the best in us. We were really up for that game tonight," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "That's like playing the first game of a playoff series." The Yankees fell out of first place with the loss, which came as the Red Sox beat the Orioles.