Tampa Bay used a three-run fifth inning to snap a tie and earn a 5-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday, moving back into sole possession of first place in the American League East.

Tampa leapfrogged the New York Yankees, who fell a half-game back following a 10-8 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

The Rays (92-61) got two RBIs from Willy Aybar, who singled in B.J. Upton to break a 2-2 tie in the fifth. Ben Zobrist reached on a bunt that scored Jason Bartlett and Aybar crossed the plate on a passed ball by Jason Vargas (9-12), who lost his seventh consecutive decision.

Vargas allowed five runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings and also walked four.

Tampa Bay's Jeff Niemann (11-7) ended a streak of four consecutive losses, allowing three runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. He had four strikeouts and one walk. Rafael Soriano pitched a hitless ninth for his 44th save.

Adam Moore had two RBI singles for the Mariners (58-95). Franklin Gutierrez had an RBI single and scored a run.

Kelly Shoppach added an RBI double for the Rays.

Rays All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria will miss the three-game series because of a left quadriceps strain. He was replaced by Sean Rodriguez, who was 0-for-3.