NEW YORK _ Mike Brosseau was a bit shaken Tuesday when he was nearly hit in the head by a 101 mph fastball from Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman.
Brosseau calmed down, focused and struck back Wednesday, hitting two home runs to lead the Rays to a 5-2 win in the last regular-season game between the increasingly bitter rivals.
The Rays improved their American League-best record to 26-12 and, in beating the Yankees for the eighth time in 10 tries, extended their East Division lead to 4{ games with 22 to play.
The Rays came out swinging as they rapped five straight hits, including two-run homers by Randy Arozarena and Brosseau, off starter Jordan Montgomery, who didn't make it out of the first. Brosseau homered again in the fourth.
The night also marked the successful return of Rays starter Charlie Morton, who had been sidelined since walking off the mound Aug. 9 due to shoulder inflammation.
Morton was on a limited workload, and he made the most of it, working one batter into the third, allowing no hits, walking two, striking out four and throwing 36 pitches (20 strikes).
With Thursday off, the Rays used a parade of relievers to finish, including John Curitss, Diego Castillo, Aaron Loup, Aaron Slegers and Pete Fairbanks, who made it a bit interesting in the ninth.
Brosseau definitely seemed to enjoy the first homer, a 420-foot shot to left, with a Sammy Sosa-style hop out of the batter's box, a slow trot around the bases and a lively and loud reception from his teammates when he returned to the dugout.
