A.J. Burnett pitched well in an encouraging playoff tuneup and the New York Yankees rallied for two runs in the ninth inning, beating the Kansas City Royals 4-3 Tuesday night for their seventh straight victory.

Little-used Juan Miranda got the game-winning hit off ex-Yankee Kyle Farnsworth (1-5), an infield single that caromed off the reliever’s leg and into foul territory between home plate and first base.

Miranda raised his arms in jubilation as he crossed the bag and the AL East champions rushed out of the dugout to celebrate as if they’d just won a playoff series.

Following the team’s major league-best 15th walk-off win, Burnett pasted Miranda with a whipped cream pie in the face as the rookie was interviewed on television in front of the dugout.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.