08/27: Down 4 in the 9th, Yankees Rally to Win
Posted by: Patrick
It didn't look too pretty after 8 and 1/2, but the Yankees fought and clawed back, finding a way to snatch the game away from the Royals in the 9th.
The Yankees were able to strike first, putting 2 on the board in the 1st and another 1 in the 3rd, giving them a 3-0 lead. Wright was solid through 4, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits. But, the 5th would be the end of his day. He loaded the bases with 1 out before getting Danny Hocking to pop out to Cano at second. Unfortunately, he'd allow 3 straight hits and throw a wild pitch before getting out of the inning. Once the dust had cleared, the Yankees were down 5-3 and Wright was out of the game.
Aaron Small would relieve him in the 6th, having trouble of his own - allowing 2 runs over 2 and 2/3 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Yankees offense wouldn't score a run in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th innings. Alan Embree relieved Small in the 8th with 1 out remaining and did the job, getting 4 outs and keeping the score at 7-3. He got the win - his first as a Yankee - with his ERA falling "down" to 7.14.
Heading to the bottom of the 9th, the Yankees 5 (Giambi), 6 (Bernie) and 7 (Posada) hitters were due up. But, no, it wasn't over. Jeremy Affeldt came in to face Giambi. Giambi would walk. This would be followed by a Bernie Williams strike out, making the first out of the inning. At this point, Posada hit a sure thing double play ball (speedster Giambi) back to the pitcher. Yet, fate smiled on the Yankees as Affeldt's throw was off and the short stop dropped the ball (Seamus' eyewitness account: "They gave [the error] to the pitcher? The SS dropped the ball. I guess the throw was off. Funny thing was the ball was dropped and Giambi was probably still halfway to second base.") This allowed both Giambi and Posada to reach safely. First and second, 1 out.
New Yankee Matt Lawton made his mark with a base hit to load the bases. This brought the slumping Cano to the plate. Torre put Tino up to pitch hit and Tino delivered with a base hit to right - only Giambi scored and the bases remained loaded with 1 out. 7-4 Royals. That would be the end of Affeldt's day as Shawn Camp came in for the Royals to face Captain Clutch. Tony Womack pinch ran for Tino and Jeter did not disappoint, coming through with a single to left that scored both Lawton and Posada. Womack was stuck at 2nd. But, we were now only down by one run with 1st and 2nd and 1 out for Godzilla, who would fly out to deep center. It was deep enough to allow Womack to advance to third.
Tying run on 3rd, 2 out, Gary Sheffield up. Sheff pounced with a double to right, scoring Womack and tying the game. Jeter to third for A-Rod. A-Rod came up big, singling to left to score Jeter and hand the Yankees an 8-7 victory.
Nice comeback fellas.
The Yankees were able to strike first, putting 2 on the board in the 1st and another 1 in the 3rd, giving them a 3-0 lead. Wright was solid through 4, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits. But, the 5th would be the end of his day. He loaded the bases with 1 out before getting Danny Hocking to pop out to Cano at second. Unfortunately, he'd allow 3 straight hits and throw a wild pitch before getting out of the inning. Once the dust had cleared, the Yankees were down 5-3 and Wright was out of the game.
Aaron Small would relieve him in the 6th, having trouble of his own - allowing 2 runs over 2 and 2/3 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Yankees offense wouldn't score a run in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th innings. Alan Embree relieved Small in the 8th with 1 out remaining and did the job, getting 4 outs and keeping the score at 7-3. He got the win - his first as a Yankee - with his ERA falling "down" to 7.14.
Heading to the bottom of the 9th, the Yankees 5 (Giambi), 6 (Bernie) and 7 (Posada) hitters were due up. But, no, it wasn't over. Jeremy Affeldt came in to face Giambi. Giambi would walk. This would be followed by a Bernie Williams strike out, making the first out of the inning. At this point, Posada hit a sure thing double play ball (speedster Giambi) back to the pitcher. Yet, fate smiled on the Yankees as Affeldt's throw was off and the short stop dropped the ball (Seamus' eyewitness account: "They gave [the error] to the pitcher? The SS dropped the ball. I guess the throw was off. Funny thing was the ball was dropped and Giambi was probably still halfway to second base.") This allowed both Giambi and Posada to reach safely. First and second, 1 out.
New Yankee Matt Lawton made his mark with a base hit to load the bases. This brought the slumping Cano to the plate. Torre put Tino up to pitch hit and Tino delivered with a base hit to right - only Giambi scored and the bases remained loaded with 1 out. 7-4 Royals. That would be the end of Affeldt's day as Shawn Camp came in for the Royals to face Captain Clutch. Tony Womack pinch ran for Tino and Jeter did not disappoint, coming through with a single to left that scored both Lawton and Posada. Womack was stuck at 2nd. But, we were now only down by one run with 1st and 2nd and 1 out for Godzilla, who would fly out to deep center. It was deep enough to allow Womack to advance to third.
Tying run on 3rd, 2 out, Gary Sheffield up. Sheff pounced with a double to right, scoring Womack and tying the game. Jeter to third for A-Rod. A-Rod came up big, singling to left to score Jeter and hand the Yankees an 8-7 victory.
Nice comeback fellas.
Michael wrote: