Left photograph of Jorge Posada being congratulated by Alex Rodriguez after Posada scored on Berkman's first inning two-run double (AP); right photograph of Jose Reyes and Mike Pelfrey walking back to the dugout—Reyes had one of the Mets' two throwing errors (AP)

A five-run first inning helped the Yankees take care of the Rays, 8-3, in the second game of a four-game series at Yankee Stadium. Two days of this homestand helped the Yankees reclaim the 2 1/2-game lead they owned before a nine-game road trip saw it sliced to a half-game margin. Nick Swisher homered and Lance Berkman, who has been quietly awesome recently, had a two-run double in the big first. Phil Hughes turned in 6 1/3 innings of three-run ball, striking out six and walking five. A.J. Burnett takes the mound on Wednesday night.

A 5-2 loss to the Marlins officially ended the Mets' postseason dreams. As Jerry Manuel pointed out after the game, "It would have been a long shot." Lucas Duda had two hits -- including a homer -- and David Wright also went deep. At 74-77, the Mets will be lucky to finish at .500. They finish the quick two-game set on Wednesday.