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Yanks flex muscle to beat Royals late 9-7




By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
April 11, 2006

Closer Mariano Rivera finally did something he hasn’t done all year – save a game.

A three-run home run by Derek Jeter in the 8th inning overcame a 7-6 deficit as the Yankees beat Kansas City 9-7

The game started well for the Yankees. Leadoff hitter Johnny Damon doubled, but didn’t advance as Kansas City’s Joe Mays got both Derek Jeter and Gary Sheffield to ground out. Mays walked Alex Rodriguez bringing first baseman Jason Giambi to the plate. Giambi, who hadn’t hit a home run yet this season, took care of that statistic by sending one of Mays’ offerings over the right field wall to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead.



The Royals got on the board in the top of the second when third baseman Mark Teahan doubled home Doug Mientkiewicz from second base.

The Yankees added a run in the top of the third after Mays walked the bases loaded with two outs and then walked Hideki Matsui to score Damon from third.

Kansas City finally got untracked, scoring three times in the top of the fourth. Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang gave up a solo home run to Reggie Sanders, and then surrendered two more runs on a wild pitch and three hits.

The Royals added three more runs in the sixth and seventh innings, making the score 7-4. Wang having his second rough outing was removed by Joe Torre after the sixth inning, bringing in Tanyon Sturtze to start the top of the seventh. Sturtze lasted all of a third of an inning, giving up a home run, double, a single and two runs before being relieved by Mike Myers. Myers picked off Sanders at first base and then struck out Mientkiewicz looking to end the Royals threat.

The Yankees were unable to score in the bottom of the frame and Kansas City failed to score in the top of the eighth as Scott Procter pitched a scoreless inning.

In the bottom of the eighth inning the Yankees line up came to life. Giambi walked to start the inning, followed by Matsui who singled him to second. Jorge Posada walked to load the bases. Robinson Cano hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed Giambi to score from third. Matsui was able to advance to third, but Posada was thrown out at second base. With Cano on first and Matsui on third Bernie Williams joined the party and singled home Matsui with Cano taking second base. Johnny Damon struck out and that brought Derek Jeter to the plate.

Jeter, who always has had a flamboyance for the dramatic took the first pitch he saw from reliever Andrew Sisco and sent it over the left field wall for a three-run home run and the first Yankees lead since the third inning. Gary Sheffield ended the inning by striking out.

For the first time this season Mariano Rivera entered the game in a save situation. Rivera ran into a little trouble. After getting Shane Costa to ground out Rivera gave up a single to Mark Grudzielanek and then hit Mike Sweeny. However, Rivera preserved the Yankees lead by getting Sanders to strike out and Mientkiewicz to pop out to him.

With the win the Yankees improved to 3-4 and trail Boston by 2.5 games. The Red Sox plays later today. Tomorrow the Yankees will send Shawn Chacon (0-1, 7.71) to the hill to face the Royals Jeremy Affeldt (0-1, 13.50). Game time is 1:05 p.m.

Notes: The familiar voice of stadium announcer Bob Sheppard was missing due to Sheppard throwing out his hip on Monday. He will miss the entire Kansas City series. Yogi Berra threw out the ceremonial first pitch.



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