The Yankees (91-50) were shut down by Jeff Niemann for seven innings, but the Rays (72-68) blew their lead in the eighth and lost 4-2. Derek Jeter received a long standing ovation after tying Lou Gehrig’s all-time hits record as a Yankee with a seventh-inning single.
"He's one of the classiest people to ever play this game," Jeter said during an on-field, postgame television interview pumped over the stadium public address system. "It's just kind of mind-boggling to have my name next to his."
Quick ‘Cap:
The Rays scored twice in the first inning off Joba Chamberlain, but that was all for their scoring. Chamberlain was yanked after three, and Alfredo Alfredo Aceves, Jon Albaladejo, Brian Bruney and Phil Coke closed out the victory.
Alex Rodriguez’s eighth-inning single knocked out Niemann, making way for Lance Cormier. Cormier allowed a single to Hideki Matsui and then a throwing error by the first basemen allowed A-Rod to score. Jorge Posada laced a pinch-hit, three-run homer in place of Brett Gardner with two on and one out. Full box score here.
Thoughts:
What a win. Congratulations to my hero, Jeter, for tying Gehrig’s record. Luckily for me, I will hopefully get to see him break the record this weekend, as I will be at Friday’s and Saturday’s games. The Yanks just cannot lose right now.
Line of the Night:
Albaladejo: 2 IP, zeroes, win. He improves to 5-1 with a 4.85 ERA on the year. It’s amazing for a guy like Alba to have a record like that.
Up Next:
The Yankees enjoy an off-day Thursday, and will host a three-game series with Baltimore this weekend. Series preview to be posted before game 1.
Like I said, I’ll be attending the first two games, so expect lots of pictures and my take on the new Yankee Stadium!
