Teixeira’s two-run homer and RBI groundout help Yankees beat Athletics 3-2

Teixeira drives in all three New York runs

OAKLAND, Calif. — Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer, Alfredo Aceves earned his majors-leading eighth win as a reliever and the New York Yankees wrapped up a stretch of 33 games in 34 days with a 3-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.

Teixeira sent the first pitch from A’s rookie Brett Anderson (7-9) into the elevated left-field bleachers in the fourth following Johnny Damon’s leadoff single. Teixeira also had an RBI groundout in the first to put the Yankees ahead early.

Chad Gaudin pitched 4 1-3 scoreless innings against his former club in his first start for the Yankees, allowing one hit, striking out five and walking five. He loaded the bases in the fifth on a walk to Mark Ellis, then Aceves (8-1) relieved and got Kurt Suzuki to ground into a 1-2-3 double play that got Cliff Pennington out at home.

Aceves allowed Jack Cust’s solo homer with two outs in the sixth and an RBI single to Mark Ellis in the seventh. Mariano Rivera finished for his 36th save in 37 opportunities and 32nd in a row.

The A’s squandered another chance in the eighth. With Landon Powell and Cust aboard, Tommy Everidge grounded into a double play and Pennington flied out.

Cust’s 17th homer snapped a career-high 23-game streak without an RBI for Cust, who last had one July 23 also against the Yankees. Cust also had a 26-game, 80 at-bat homerless streak since connecting July 20 against Minnesota.

After this grueling stretch, the Yankees had to travel cross country after the game before Thursday’s off day. On Friday, first-place New York opens a key AL East series with the archrival Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Yankees, who swept a four-game home series with the Red Sox, have lost seven straight at Fenway and all six this year.

Alex Rodriguez played despite still being sore after getting hit in the left elbow by a pitch for the second time in a week. He’s also playing through back pain.

A-Rod was plunked by Oakland starter Vin Mazzaro in the first inning of Tuesday night’s 7-2 win over the Athletics, but was in the lineup at third base and batting cleanup for the series finale.

Rodriguez was also hit by Toronto’s Shawn Camp in the 11th inning a 4-3, 11-inning win in New York on Aug. 12. He sat out Friday and Saturday at Seattle.

A-Rod is 3 for 15 with no home runs and one RBI in five games so far during the team’s 10-game road trip.

Gaudin, acquired by the Yankees from San Diego on Aug. 6, spent parts of three seasons with the A’s before being traded to the Cubs on July 8 last year in the six-player deal that also sent Rich Harden to Chicago.

Anderson, who had won his last two decisions, struck out six and walked one in seven solid innings.

The Yankees captured the season series 7-2 — winning five of six in New York this year — and have now done so in two straight seasons. New York earned its most wins against the A’s in a season since also going 7-2 in the series in 2005.

NOTES: Derek Jeter stole his 21st base. … Yankees C Jorge Posada had the day off. … Yankees pitcher Ian Kennedy likely will pitch next month in the instructional league, his first game action since surgery May 12 to remove an aneurysm from beneath his right biceps. … The A’s will hand out Jason Giambi bobblehead dolls Friday against Detroit, despite the fact he was released Aug. 7. Giambi had returned to the A’s for a second stint this season following seven seasons with the Yankees. … Teixeira will appear on the “Late Show with David Letterman” on CBS on Monday. Teixeira will participate in a batting demonstration during the show. … Oakland drew 35,067 fans for its fifth sellout.