A-Rod, Yankees Wake Up From Slumber

Written by: Drew Sarver on 25th June 2009

A-Rod, Yankees Wake Up From Slumber | read this item

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
NY Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	2	2	8	10	1
Atlanta	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	1	0	4	8	2

WP – Chamberlain (4-2) SV – Rivera (16) LP – Medlen (2-3)

The Yankees were on their way to being shut out for the second straight night, and possibly no-hit, when a play at first base seemed to turned things around. Brett Gardner led off the 6th inning with a walk, but was picked off by Atlanta Braves reliever Kris Medlen. Gardner leapt to his feet and began arguing, along with first base coach Mick Kelleher. Joe Girardi came out to replace both in the fray and was eventually ejected from the ball game by first base ump Bill Welke. Whether or not that was the reason, Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees suddenly woke up, scored 3 runs in the inning, and went on to an 8-4 victory over the Braves.

Not only did replays clearly show that Gardner, who was the Yankees’ first base runner of the night, was safe on the play, but Medlen never came to a complete stop in his motion and should have been called for a balk. The very next hitter, rookie Francisco Cervelli, turned the tide, with a game tying solo home run that broke up the no-hitter and shutout. It was the first home run of his major league career.

Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon reached on 2-out singles and Mark Teixeira drew a walk as Medlen pitched around him to face the slumping Rodriguez. But A-Rod, who had lined out hard earlier in the game, ripped an 0-2 fastball into center field for a 2-run single and a 3-1 Yankees lead.

Yankees starter Joba Chamberlain brought his ‘A’ game to Turner Field. He allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, in 6.1 innings pitched and didn’t walk a batter while striking out 5. He also knocked Braves starter Kenshin Kawakami from the game when he hit a line drive off the side of the Braves pitcher’s neck.

The Yankees tacked on runs in the final three innings, including a home run by Nick Swisher. The Braves cut the lead to 6-4 against Brian Bruney with 2 outs in the 8th, but Mariano Rivera struck out Kelly Johnson with the tying runs on base. Rivera, who lined out with the bases loaded to end the top of the 9th, then struck out the side in the bottom of the 9th for his 16th save.

Game Notes

Johnny Damon returned to the starting lineup after sitting out the last 2 games with a sore calf. He went 3-5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.

Mariano Rivera’s save was the 498th of his career.

CC Sabathia’s bullpen session on Wednesday was termed a success and he’ll make his scheduled start Friday night against the Mets.

Brian Cashman was supposed to be in Scranton last night to watch Sergio Mitre pitch, but the Yankees’ recent slump changed his mind and he was in Atlanta last night to meet with Joe Girardi and the team. Cashman told reporters that the team will hit again and he’s not planning on acquiring a bat.

The Yankees will try to win the series tonight (7:05 p.m. ET) when they send out Andy Pettitte to face fellow veteran Derek Lowe.

Topics: Alex Rodriguez, Atlanta Braves, francisco cervelli, Interleague Play, joba chamberlain, Joe Girardi, kenshin kawakami, kris medlen, nick swisher, Yankees 6/24 recap, Yankees vs. Braves