Yankees 6, White Sox 5: Robinson Cano homered among his three hits and host New York held off a late comeback to complete a three-game sweep of skidding Chicago.

Brett Gardner went 2-for-4 with a two-run triple as the Yankees improved to 17-7 in their last 24 and remained 2 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay for the second American League wild card. CC Sabathia carried a 6-1 lead into the eighth before the White Sox stormed back with four runs off the left-hander and reliever David Robertson.

Closer Mariano Rivera snuffed out the rally by striking out Alejandro De Aza with two out and two on in the eighth and worked the ninth for his 41st save of the season and the first of the four-out variety since July 24, 2011. Sabathia (13-11) was charged with three runs on five hits over 7 1/3 innings in improving to 19-4 lifetime against Chicago.

Rookies Avisail Garcia and Josh Phegley each had two RBIs for Chicago, which tumbled to its sixth straight defeat. Rookie Erik Johnson (0-1) was tagged for five runs - three earned - on seven hits in his major-league debut and hurt himself with a throwing error during New York's four-run fourth.

Lyle Overbay's RBI double in the fourth put the Yankees ahead to stay and Gardner registered his career-high ninth triple to plate two runs and help the Yankees open a 6-1 lead. Phegley had a two-run single and Marcus Semien added an RBI single as the White Sox pulled within 6-5 with four runs and five hits in the eighth.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cano's homer was the 203rd of his career, tying him with Roger Maris for 14th place on the franchise all-time list. ... Johnson was among three players making their major-league debuts for Chicago. 3B Semien had two hits and RHP Daniel Webb gave up one run in one inning of relief. ... The Yankees will host AL East leader and bitter rival Boston for a four-game showdown beginning Thursday, while the White Sox continue their 10-game road trip with four games in Baltimore.