Yankees Come Away with Thrilling Win

This afternoon's game against the Tampa Bay Rays certainly had its twists and turns. Everything from close plays to blown leads; this game had it all. However, in the end the Yankees came out on top with nifty defensive plays and three timely hits that came at all the right moments in the game. Vidal Nuno was great again today after not starting for twelve days but he was matched up against lefty ace Matt Moore who leads the league in wins and a sub 3 ERA. Moore promptly gave the Yankees a lead in the first inning on a two-out single by Hafner, scoring Gardner from third. The Yankees would be blanked the rest of the way until the ninth inning came around. Matt Moore kept the Yankees at bay with one run allowed in six innings but his pitch efficiency would cost him the opportunity to pitch deeper into the game. The Rays scored two runs in the seventh inning, one of which came on a close play at the plate. Nevertheless the play would not make a difference in the long run.

The Yankees put on their rally caps in the ninth inning with two outs off struggling closer Fernando Rodney. With two outs and Lyle Overbay on first base Brennan Boesch hit a check-swing double that just landed in fair territory down the left field line. Boesch was called up today to replace Granderson, who was placed on the 15 day DL with a broken bone in his left hand. The very next batter, Brett Gardner slapped a line drive single into center field with two strikes. Rodney suffered his fifth blown save of the season, his second against the Yankees. He blew two saves all of last year. 

David Robertson didn't have great control in the bottom of the ninth, and with a runner on second a line drive off the bat of Yunel Escobar sliced into right field as Ichiro slid and made a sparkling catch to save the game for the moment. Ivan Nova came into the game to pitch the tenth and promptly loaded the bases but was able to escape with two strikeouts and a ground ball with two outs. Lyle Overbay was the hero of the game with a clutch solo home run to give the Yankees the lead in the eleventh that they wouldd hand over to Mariano Rivera. Rivera retired the Rays in order on nine pitches to collect the eighteenth save of his farewell season.