05/16: A-Rod Hits Walk-off Home Run, Yankees Win 6-4
Posted by: Andrew
For the second straight day, the Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins in walk-off fashion. Today, Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to lead the Yankees to an 6-4 victory. It was his first home run in his second game at the new Yankee Stadium.
Joba Chamberlain started for the Yankees and had a successful first inning for once. However, the Twins got on the board in the second inning in somewhat unusual fashion. With runners on first and third with one out, Brian Buscher hit a fly ball to Brett Gardner in center. Michael Cuddyer, the runner at first was in motion and slid into second base. He had to retreat back to first base but failed to retouch second base. Derek Jeter noticed this and Cuddyer was called out on the appeal. However, the run scored and the Twins led 1-0.
Mark Teixiera gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third with a three-run home run with two outs. This was part of a larger 4-for-4, four RBI day for Teixeira. His batting average now stands at .238.
The Twins scored again in the top of the fourth when Joe Mauer hit a leadoff home run.
That would be all of the scoring until the eighth inning. Chamberlain left after six innings and 108 pitches. He gave up three hits, two earned runs and four walks while striking out six.
Phil Coke entered the game with one out in the top of the seventh trying to clean up Jose Veras' mess. With runners on second and third, he induced a pop out to second and a fly out to center to end the threat. However, Justin Morneau hit a solo home run in the next inning of the Yankees' lefty to tie the game at 3. After a two-out walk to Michael Cuddyer, Buscher doubled to right, scoring the runner when Melky Cabrera overthrew the cut-off man to give the Twins a 4-3 lead.
However, the Yankees, who have shown fight over the course of this four-game winning streak, didn't quit again. Hideki Matsui led off the bottom of the eighth with a pinch-hit double. Derek Jeter sacrificed pinch runner Ramiro Pena to third. After Johnny Damon failed to get the run home, Teixeira responded with a two-out single to right to tie the game.
Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth and 10th innings and the Yankees were unable to put anything together offensively. Alfredo Aceves pitched a perfect 11th inning, leading up to Rodriguez's heroics. Teixeira led off with a walk against left-handed Craig Breslow. Rodriguez followed with a home run over the left-field wall after broadcaster Michael Kay asked his analysts if he should bunt. So much for that.
The Yankees are now 19-17 and have won six of their last eight game. A.J. Burnett will look to keep the line moving tomorrow afternoon at 1:05.
Recap records: Patrick: 11–5, Seamus: 6–8, Andrew: 2–4.
Andrew Fletcher blogs about the Yankees regularly at Scott Proctor's Arm.
Joba Chamberlain started for the Yankees and had a successful first inning for once. However, the Twins got on the board in the second inning in somewhat unusual fashion. With runners on first and third with one out, Brian Buscher hit a fly ball to Brett Gardner in center. Michael Cuddyer, the runner at first was in motion and slid into second base. He had to retreat back to first base but failed to retouch second base. Derek Jeter noticed this and Cuddyer was called out on the appeal. However, the run scored and the Twins led 1-0.
Mark Teixiera gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third with a three-run home run with two outs. This was part of a larger 4-for-4, four RBI day for Teixeira. His batting average now stands at .238.
The Twins scored again in the top of the fourth when Joe Mauer hit a leadoff home run.
That would be all of the scoring until the eighth inning. Chamberlain left after six innings and 108 pitches. He gave up three hits, two earned runs and four walks while striking out six.
Phil Coke entered the game with one out in the top of the seventh trying to clean up Jose Veras' mess. With runners on second and third, he induced a pop out to second and a fly out to center to end the threat. However, Justin Morneau hit a solo home run in the next inning of the Yankees' lefty to tie the game at 3. After a two-out walk to Michael Cuddyer, Buscher doubled to right, scoring the runner when Melky Cabrera overthrew the cut-off man to give the Twins a 4-3 lead.
However, the Yankees, who have shown fight over the course of this four-game winning streak, didn't quit again. Hideki Matsui led off the bottom of the eighth with a pinch-hit double. Derek Jeter sacrificed pinch runner Ramiro Pena to third. After Johnny Damon failed to get the run home, Teixeira responded with a two-out single to right to tie the game.
Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth and 10th innings and the Yankees were unable to put anything together offensively. Alfredo Aceves pitched a perfect 11th inning, leading up to Rodriguez's heroics. Teixeira led off with a walk against left-handed Craig Breslow. Rodriguez followed with a home run over the left-field wall after broadcaster Michael Kay asked his analysts if he should bunt. So much for that.
The Yankees are now 19-17 and have won six of their last eight game. A.J. Burnett will look to keep the line moving tomorrow afternoon at 1:05.
Recap records: Patrick: 11–5, Seamus: 6–8, Andrew: 2–4.
Andrew Fletcher blogs about the Yankees regularly at Scott Proctor's Arm.
