The New York Yankees' Mariano Rivera lays two roses across home plate Friday during a tribute to owner George Steinbrenner, who died Tuesday.

NEW YORK — Nick Swisher and the New York Yankees paid tribute to George Steinbrenner with the type of thrilling victory the demanding owner loved.

On a night that began with Mariano Rivera placing a pair of long-stemmed red roses across home plate and Derek Jeter speaking a touching tribute to the hushed crowd, Swisher ended the evening in the Yankees' fashion.

Swisher's single with two outs in the ninth inning capped a night of comebacks, and the Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 Friday in the first game following Steinbrenner's death.

New York's players ran into right field on a sweltering night to mob Swisher as fans responded with yet another prolonged ovation. It was their first "walkoff" win since July 4 — Steinbrenner's 80th birthday.

"I looked up and said, 'This is for you,"' Posada said. "He wanted to win every game. 162-0 he wanted us to do."

Manager Joe Girardi cried during a 15-minute pregame remembrance of Steinbrenner, who died of a heart attack Tuesday at age 80. The Yankees also commemorated public address announcer Bob Sheppard, who passed away Sunday at 99.

"We gather here tonight to honor two men who were both shining stars in the Yankee universe," Jeter said as teammates and the Rays stood ramrod straight, caps off, in front of their dugouts. "Both men, Mr. George Steinbrenner and Mr. Bob Sheppard, cared deeply about their responsibilities to this organization and to our fans, and for that, will be forever remembered in baseball history and in our hearts."

New Yankee Stadium, opened last year in one of Steinbrenner's final acts, could not have been quieter. Yankees executives in business suits watched somberly from behind the plate.

"Simply put," Jeter said, "Mr. Steinbrenner and Mr. Sheppard both left this organization in a much better place than when they first arrived. They've set the example for all employees of the New York Yankees to strive to follow."

New York's players wore patches for Steinbrenner and Sheppard. One included "The Boss" and the other featured a microphone.

"It's just one of those moments, another one of those special moments here at Yankee Stadium," Jeter said.