09/17: A-Rod's Dramatic Second Home Run of Game Sets Up Mo for Save

Posted by: David
His solo home run to lead off the second inning was the only offense the Yankees could muster off of Kevin Millwood all night. After that Cano and Berkman singled and the Yankees would load the bases but could not get the big hit to add any more runs.

A.J. Burnett pitched better but he hit Cesar Izturis to lead off an inning and he stole second, went to third on a ground out and scored on a sacrifice fly. Adam Jones hit his 19th home run to give the O's the lead at 2-1 and Robert Andino hit his first of the year to give Baltimore what seemed a huge lead at 3-1. Andino's home run came after the second 3-6-3 double play started by Mark Teixeira. His glove probably saved Burnett and Yankees at least two or three runs.

In the eighth, the Yankees would get runners to second and third but Gardner grounded out to end the inning.

In the ninth, Jorge Posada led off for New York. He had pinch hit for Cervelli earlier and worked a walk. Posada had a great eleven pitch AB and eventually singled to left center on a splitter from O's closer Uehara.

Jeter would strike out looking but Granderson followed with a line single to right in front of Markakis to put the tying runs on base. Teixeira would get the good wood on the ball but got under it and popped it way up in the air for the second out of the inning. A-Rod was the last hope.

He struck out on Wednesday night in Tampa. but tonight was different. Uehara threw a fast ball inside on 1-2 and the pitch was called a ball. The Baltimore bench jeered to the umpire and A-Rod smiled. On the next pitch Uehara left a fast ball somewhat inside and A-Rod crushed it and it sailed into the left field stands for a home run and a Yankee lead at 4-3. It was the second blown save of the year for Uehara, the first being last week's walk off against Nick Swisher at the stadium.

Rivera entered in the bottom half of the frame and faced Felix Pie, forcing a grounder back to the mound for the first out. Adam Jones popped out to shortstop for the second out. A pitch before he had lined a ball down the right field line which just dropped foul. Matt Wieters was the victim of a broken bat and he grounded weakly to short to end the game.

The save for Rivera was his 31st of the season in 34 save opportunities and the 557th of his career. His 2010 season ERA now stands at 1.31.

With the win and a Tampa Bay loss to the Angels, the Yankees move back into first place in the Al East by a 1/2 game. The Red Sox also lost and are now 7 games behind the Yankees.

Comments

Sanghyun Choo wrote:

A-Rod was great on today.

Congratulations on 31st(Career 557th) saves of Mo !
09/18 00:03:01

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