Lance Berkman hit a home run in the fifth and a go-ahead double in the seventh — immediately after a disputed pitch led to the ejection of Twins manager Ron Gardenhire — and sent the Twins to their 11th straight postseason loss.

Eight of those have come against the Yankees, who trailed in each of those games.

The Twins, who haven't won a postseason game since 2004, matched the Philadelphia Phillies (1915-1976) for the second-longest postseason losing streak in history behind the Boston Red Sox (1986-1995), who lost 13 in a row.

Berkman put the Yankees ahead 3-2 with his double, one pitch after it appeared Minnesota pitcher Carl Pavano had sneaked strike three past him. Gardenhire argued with the plate umpire after Berkman's hit and was ejected.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his second save of the series. New York can seal a series victory on Saturday when it hosts Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.

In St. Petersburg, Florida, Texas moved to the brink of winning a post season series for the first time, taking a 2-0 lead over Tampa Bay in their ALDS series.

The Rangers are the only current major league franchise that's never won a playoff series. After taking two games on the road, that can change that when the best-of-five match-up shifts to Rangers Ballpark for Game 3 on Saturday.

Texas' Michael Young hit a three-run homer one pitch after a disputed check-swing that prompted the ejection of Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon.

Ian Kinsler also homered for the Rangers, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Texas starter C.J. Wilson allowed just two hits in 6 2-3 innings. Relievers Darren O'Day and Darren Oliver completed the combined two-hitter before a sellout crowd of 35,535.

Rays starter James Shields allowed four runs over 4 1-3 innings.

In San Francisco, the home team took advantage of a questionable umpiring call to beat Atlanta in the opener of their NL Division Series.

San Francisco's Buster Posey led off the fourth inning with a single and stole second on a third strike. Braves second baseman Brooks Conrad appeared to tag Posey before his foot touched second but the umpire called Posey safe.

One out later, Cody Ross hit a grounder past third base for a single, driving in Posey for the only run of the game.

Giants starter Tim Lincecum had nine strikeouts through six scoreless innings of his postseason debut, striking out five straight hitters at one point and getting the Braves to swing and miss at 19 pitches in the first six innings.

Atlanta's post season veteran Derek Lowe was nearly as stingy, with the only run being the disputed one from Posey.