A-Rod Powers Yankees to Series Win

Written by: Drew Sarver on 26th June 2009

A-Rod Powers Yankees to Series Win | read this item

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
NY Yankees	2	1	3	2	0	0	2	1	0	11	16	1
Atlanta	1	0	0	5	0	0	0	0	1	7	13	3

WP – Aceves (5-1) SV – Rivera (17) LP – Lowe (7-6)

The Yankees and Atlanta Braves were in a tight 8-6 game last night when Braves manager Bobby Cox decided to intentionally walk Mark Teixeira and face Alex Rodriguez with the bases loaded. It’s a move opposing managers might want to think twice about going forward. A-Rod, who had been slumping prior to Wednesday night’s game, powered a pitch into right field for a 2-run single that gave the Yankees some breathing room. The Bombers went on to an 11-7 win, led by the bat of Rodriguez, who drove in 4 runs.

It appeared the game would be a laugher after the Yankees knocked Braves starter Derek Lowe from the game in the 4th inning. But Andy Pettitte struggled all night, and despite being armed with an 8-1 lead, was forced from the game as the Braves rallied for 5 runs in the bottom half of the 4th. What was expected to be a pitcher’s duel between two solid veterans was anything but. Yuniel Escobar drove in 3 runs for Atlanta and Brett Gardner helped the Braves by misplaying a pair of pop ups to shallow center field.

Luckily for the Yankees, their bats woke up in the middle of Wednesday’s game and continued last night. In addition to A-Rod, Johnny Damon drove in 4 runs, and Derek Jeter enjoyed a 4-hit, 4-runs scored night. A-Rod’s big game included his 10th home run of the year, a blast that moved him into 11th place all-time with Reggie Jackson with 563 career home runs. After a giant June swoon, the Yankees third baseman has gone 4-8 in the last 2 games with 6 RBI.

Al Aceves picked up his 5th win after he replaced Pettitte and pitched 2 scoreless innings. Mariano Rivera came on in the 9th when the Braves cut the lead to 11-7 and put two men aboard. Rivera retired Diory Hernandez on a fly out to Gardner for career save number 499.

Game Notes

Xavier Nady’s days in Pinstripes may be over. The right fielder was on injury rehab in Scranton yesterday when he reinjured his right elbow. Tommy John surgery may now be inevitable.

Melky Cabrera sat out last night’s game with an upset stomach.

Round 2 of the Subway Series begins tonight at Citi Field. CC Sabathia goes for the Yankees, while the Mets send Mike Pelfrey to the hill.

Topics: al aceves, Alex Rodriguez, andy pettitte, Atlanta Braves, Derek Jeter, derek lowe, Interleague Play, reggie jackson, xavier nady, Yankees 6/25 recap, Yankees vs. Braves, Yuniel Escobar