In the National League, wild card leaders Atlanta lost to Philadelphia but maintained their one-game lead over St. Louis after the Cardinals lost to Houston.
Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria said the season came down to their next two games.
"This is what we wanted. This is the situation we've been looking forward to being in the whole season," Longoria told reporters.
"For it to come down to two games and have a chance to play in the postseason is what it's all about."
After falling behind to the Yankees, Tampa Bay rallied in the third inning where B.J. Upton hit a game-tying two-RBI double before the home team took a 3-2 lead.
Kelly Shoppach hit a solo home run in the fourth as the Rays opened up a lead for starting pitcher James Shields (16-12), who went 8 2/3 inni ngs, allowing a run in the first and third.
Rays reliever Kyle Farnsworth came on to get the final out of the game.
In Los Angeles, the Angels were eliminated from playoff contention with a 4-3 loss to Texas. The Angels entered the night three games back of the Red Sox and failed to make up ground.
The free-falling Red Sox tried to stay positive about their wild card race.
"I'm going to come out and leave it all on the field," said Boston's Dustin Pedroia. "Win, lose or draw I'm not holding my head down."
Baltimore's Vladimir Guerrero became the career hit leader among Dominican-born players with his sixth-inning single against Boston. His 2,587th career hit broke a tie with former player Julio Franco.
In the NL wild card race, the Atlanta Braves (89-71) continued their slide with a 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies but managed to keep their one-game advantage over St. Louis after the Cardinals (88-72) went down 5-4 to Houston in 10 innings. The Braves have lost three in a row, and six of eight.
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