NEW YORK — Two big swings by Jason Giambi invigorated the New York Yankees.

Now, can they muster one more run at the playoffs?

Giambi came off the bench to hit a tying homer in the seventh inning and a game-winning single in the ninth for a 3-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

Desperate to get back in the pennant race, New York salvaged the finale of a three-game series and won Boston's final regular-season game at Yankee Stadium.

"We have a pulse," Giambi said. "Hopefully, this will jump-start this ballclub."

New York moved within six games of the Red Sox, who lead the AL wild-card race. A series sweep by Boston would have left the Yankees eight games back with 29 to play — perhaps too steep a hill to climb.

The Yankees haven't missed a postseason since 1993, though their chances this year still look bleak.

"I don't care about the first two games — this one hurt," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "We played our hearts out. We lost a really tough game."

Rested against lefty Jon Lester, Giambi pinch hit with two outs in the seventh and connected for a two-run homer off Hideki Okajima that tied the score 2-all.

Xavier Nady opened the ninth with a single off Boston reliever Justin Masterson (4-4). With one out, pinch-runner Brett Gardner stole second and Hideki Matsui was intentionally walked.

Masterson walked Ivan Rodriguez, loading the bases and bringing on Jonathan Papelbon.

Giambi lined Papelbon's 0-2 pitch into center field and was mobbed at first base by elated — and relieved — teammates.

ATHLETICS 3, TWINS 2

Pinch-hitter Kurt Suzuki, a Maui native, doubled in the winning run with one out in the ninth inning and host Oakland won back-to-back games for the first time since July 10-11. Ryan Sweeney led off the ninth with a single off Craig Breslow (0-2), then moved to second on Daric Barton's sacrifice. Suzuki hit a 3-1 pitch from Jesse Crain off the wall in left-center.Angels 7, Rangers 5: Pinch-hitter Juan Rivera doubled off the wall in right-center to drive in three runs in a five-run eighth inning and help host Los Angeles beat Texas. Rivera, batting for Sean Rodriguez, hit reliever Warner Madrigal's second pitch of the game after he came in with the bases loaded, one out and a run in. Reggie Willits' RBI single provided the final run.

RAYS 3, BLUE JAYS

Edwin Jackson took a shutout into the eighth inning, Cliff Floyd and Willy Aybar homered and host Tampa Bay (81-51) guaranteed it will finish no worse than .500 for the first time in franchise history. Jackson (11-8) gave up one run and six hits over seven-plus innings in winning for the sixth time in his last seven starts.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

NATIONALS 11, DODGERS 2

Cristian Guzman hit for the cycle and Elijah Dukes had two home runs, helping host Washington rout Los Angeles. Guzman finished the cycle with an RBI triple in the eighth off reliever Joe Beimel. He's the second Washington player to hit for the cycle after Brad Wilkerson did it April 6, 2005. Guzman hit a solo homer in the first, singled and was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double in the second, and had a run-scoring double in the sixth.

ASTROS 3, REDS 2

Ty Wigginton homered twice off Aaron Harang (4-14), Brandon Backe was sharp into the seventh and host Houston beat Cincinnati. Backe (9-12) allowed six hits and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings. Humberto Quintero added a solo shot to help the Astros beat the Reds for the 10th time in 12 meetings this season.

BRAVES 4, MARLINS 2

Brian McCann hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning, Charlie Morton finally figured out how to pitch at home and host Atlanta beat Florida. Morton (4-8) had been 0-6 with an 8.18 ERA this season at home, but the rookie right-hander went six innings and allowed only four hits and two runs.

CUBS 6, PHILLIES 4

Aramis Ramirez's grand slam capped a five-run eighth inning, and host Chicago won its sixth straight. Ramirez sent the 40,362 fans at Wrigley Field into a tizzy when he drove reliever Chad Durbin's pitch into the center field bleachers to complete the comeback.

NOTES

Red Sox: Josh Beckett was scratched again from a scheduled start, and Boston's ace plans to have his ailing right elbow examined by Dr. James Andrews today, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said after yesterday's 3-2 loss to the Yankees. Beckett missed a turn in the rotation, but had been slated to start tonight against the Chicago White Sox.

Angels: Second baseman Howie Kendrick went on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with a strained left hamstring. Kendrick, batting .308, felt tightness in the hamstring running from first to second in the fourth inning Wednesday night.