Yes, I lll-ove you!

As the fearsome American League East-threatening Tampa Bay Rays charged into their 10-game homestand, one could only hope for the safety of New York, fat off its 9-1 home furlough.

But it was the Yankees who devoured their southern division foes tonight, gulping an 11-4 win that keeps the Bombers a step ahead of the Sox.

A.J. Burnett went seven again, making him one of the hottest pitchers of late in the hitter-friendly half of the league. But the real hero tonight was Nick Swisher, who hit long bombs from both sides of the plate.

He led a Yankee offense that had 15 hits, including three from Derek Jeter and two apiece from Robinson Cano (2 RBI), Melky Cabrera, Mark Teixeira and Swisher (3 RBI). Alex Rodriguez doubled home two runs, and Johnny Damon hit a three-run homer.

The Yankees (61-38) have ticked off the first game in their string of the next 26 games, 19 of which will be away from home. They lead Boston (58-40) by two and a half games, and Tampa Bay (54-46) by seven and a half. Toronto (48-51) has slipped to 13 back.

New York trails the L.A. Dodgers (62-37) for the best record in the majors.

Tuesday and Wednesday's bouts will also be against the Rays, then New York heads to Chicago to face the White Sox into the weekend.

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