10/09: Mark Teixeira Delivers Walk-Off Home Run; A-Rod and Burnett Deliver in 4-3 Eleven Inning Win Over Twins
Posted by: Patrick
In his first ever postseason appearance, A.J. Burnett delivered. It wasn't pretty - but he held the Twins to 1 run on 3 hits and 5 walks over 6 innings.
Nick Blackburn of the Twins matched Burnett over 5.2 innings. A-Rod providing the lone run against the righty in the fourth inning, with an RBI single that scored Derek Jeter to tie the game at 1.
The Twins went ahead by 2 runs in the eighth, when Phil Coke went from 2 outs and no runners on to walk, single and RBI single. Mariano Rivera was then called upon and he allowed an RBI single before striking out Orlando Cabrera to end the threat. Mo came back out for the ninth and had less trouble, striking out 2 and allowing a single.
So, the team was down by 2 heading to the bottom of the 9th. Mark Teixeira led off with a single and A-Rod delivered with a huge home run to tie the game at 3. Unfortunately, Hideki Matsui, Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano went down in order after that.
The teams exchanged zeros in the tenth with Alfredo Aceves throwing a nice inning. The Yankees threatened to score, after a one out Jorge Posada single. Brett Gardner was submitted as a pinch runner and stole second. On a pick-off attempt, Joe Nathan threw the ball into center field and Gardner made it to third, even if it was way too close and scary for my liking. They then walked Jeter to put runners on the corners and set up the double play with Johnny Damon due up. Damon hit a dud of a line drive, but Gardner broke on contact and was easily doubled off.
The 11th was rough. Damaso Marte started the inning and immediately surrendered back to back singles. Girardi immediately went to Dave Robertson, who had been warming at multiple points during the game. The first batter he faced singled to load the bases. It all started looking pretty dark.
But then, just as suddenly, everything started to come up roses for the Yanks. Delmon Young hit a hard line drive, a sure run scoring play... except that Teixeira was right in his way in perfect position, making the catch for the first out. The next hitter, Carlos Gomez, hit a slow grounder to Text, who fielded it and threw home for out number 2. Brendan Harris proceeded to hit a fly ball to end the inning.
Tex's heroics didn't end there, however. He was the lead off hitter in the bottom half of the inning and, would you believe it? A line drive home run down the line that just cleared the wall gave the Yankees a game 2 victory, taking a 2-0 series lead.
It was a huge game for both Teixeira (2 for 5, 2 runs, 1 HR) and A-Rod (2 for 4, 1 HR, 3 RBI). The team only had 7 hits and 3 walks over those 11 innings, but they were able to make them count more than the Twins were able to make their 12 hits and 7 walks count.
Saturday is another off day, and then the games will move to Minnesota on Sunday. Game time is 7:07 PM ET. Your scheduled starters are Andy Pettitte (14-8, 4.16) and Carl Pavano (14-12, 5.10).
Nick Blackburn of the Twins matched Burnett over 5.2 innings. A-Rod providing the lone run against the righty in the fourth inning, with an RBI single that scored Derek Jeter to tie the game at 1.
The Twins went ahead by 2 runs in the eighth, when Phil Coke went from 2 outs and no runners on to walk, single and RBI single. Mariano Rivera was then called upon and he allowed an RBI single before striking out Orlando Cabrera to end the threat. Mo came back out for the ninth and had less trouble, striking out 2 and allowing a single.
So, the team was down by 2 heading to the bottom of the 9th. Mark Teixeira led off with a single and A-Rod delivered with a huge home run to tie the game at 3. Unfortunately, Hideki Matsui, Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano went down in order after that.
The teams exchanged zeros in the tenth with Alfredo Aceves throwing a nice inning. The Yankees threatened to score, after a one out Jorge Posada single. Brett Gardner was submitted as a pinch runner and stole second. On a pick-off attempt, Joe Nathan threw the ball into center field and Gardner made it to third, even if it was way too close and scary for my liking. They then walked Jeter to put runners on the corners and set up the double play with Johnny Damon due up. Damon hit a dud of a line drive, but Gardner broke on contact and was easily doubled off.
The 11th was rough. Damaso Marte started the inning and immediately surrendered back to back singles. Girardi immediately went to Dave Robertson, who had been warming at multiple points during the game. The first batter he faced singled to load the bases. It all started looking pretty dark.
But then, just as suddenly, everything started to come up roses for the Yanks. Delmon Young hit a hard line drive, a sure run scoring play... except that Teixeira was right in his way in perfect position, making the catch for the first out. The next hitter, Carlos Gomez, hit a slow grounder to Text, who fielded it and threw home for out number 2. Brendan Harris proceeded to hit a fly ball to end the inning.
Tex's heroics didn't end there, however. He was the lead off hitter in the bottom half of the inning and, would you believe it? A line drive home run down the line that just cleared the wall gave the Yankees a game 2 victory, taking a 2-0 series lead.
It was a huge game for both Teixeira (2 for 5, 2 runs, 1 HR) and A-Rod (2 for 4, 1 HR, 3 RBI). The team only had 7 hits and 3 walks over those 11 innings, but they were able to make them count more than the Twins were able to make their 12 hits and 7 walks count.
Saturday is another off day, and then the games will move to Minnesota on Sunday. Game time is 7:07 PM ET. Your scheduled starters are Andy Pettitte (14-8, 4.16) and Carl Pavano (14-12, 5.10).
