The New York Yankees (90–59) failed to capture a decisive sweep against the surging Baltimore Orioles (59–90) in Game 3 of their series on Sunday, losing 4–3 in 11 innings off the bats of Luke Scott and Ty Wigginton.
Scott was the hero of the night, blasting a lead-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning off Yankees expert closer Mariano Rivera to tie the game 3–3.
It was only the second home run against Rivera this season, and pushed the game to extra innings where Scott and Wigginton tag-teamed for the game-winning hits in the 11th inning. Scott got another lead-off hit, this time a double off David Robertson, and Wigginton chased him in with a line drive single.
“[Rivera’s] probably one of the best closers ever,” Scott told MASN. “He doesn’t really make too many mistakes. I was able to get the barrel on the ball down and in, and good things happen when you get the barrel on the ball.”
The pinstripes were coming off an 11–3 rout of Baltimore on Saturday, where ace pitcher CC Sabathia captured his 20th win of the season—a career high.
Prior to that was a come-from-behind win in the ninth inning of Friday’s game where the Yanks scored three runs to get the win 4–3. Robertson got it done from the mound in that game.
Andy Pettitte was the go-to pitcher on Sunday, making a comeback after being out of the rotation with injury.
The lefty got it done for New York in six innings, giving up one run and just three hits. Pettitte retired the last 11 batters he faced to completely shut down the Orioles offense.
But then the Orioles pulled the score to within one run 3–2 in the bottom of a dicey eighth inning.
The Orioles opened with a bunt by Corey Patterson to make it to first off Yankees reliever Boone Logan.
Kerry Wood then replaced Logan, but immediately gave up another single, this time to Matt Wieters, to allow the Orioles to cover both corners of the diamond.
After striking out Robert Andino, Wood then intentionally walked Nick Markakis to load the bases. But Adam Jones popped out to get Wood out of trouble.
Scott tied it up in the bottom of the ninth with his 27th homer of the season.
Orioles closer Koji Uehara gave the Yankees nothing in the top of the 10th, striking out three in a row.
Orioles reliever Michael Gonzales walked Alex Rodriguez in the top of the 11th, and was then replaced by pinch runner Eduardo Nunez. Gonzales threw the ball into the stands when trying to pick Nunez off at first. The error automatically put Nunez on third base with no outs.
Gonzales kept his composure though and struck out pinch hitter Marcus Thames. The Orioles then decided to intentionally walk Teixeira and Jeter to load the bases.
It was a big gamble, but it paid off. The Orioles defense made a double-play to end the inning and turn it over to Scott’s and Wigginton’s offensive tag team.
Luckily for the Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays also lost their Sunday game, falling to the Los Angeles Angels 6–3 after a 4–3 win on Saturday and 4–3 loss on Friday.
The Yankees have recaptured the AL East lead with the Rays 0.5 games back as the two teams head into a four-game series starting Monday.
Scott was the hero of the night, blasting a lead-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning off Yankees expert closer Mariano Rivera to tie the game 3–3.
It was only the second home run against Rivera this season, and pushed the game to extra innings where Scott and Wigginton tag-teamed for the game-winning hits in the 11th inning. Scott got another lead-off hit, this time a double off David Robertson, and Wigginton chased him in with a line drive single.
“[Rivera’s] probably one of the best closers ever,” Scott told MASN. “He doesn’t really make too many mistakes. I was able to get the barrel on the ball down and in, and good things happen when you get the barrel on the ball.”
The pinstripes were coming off an 11–3 rout of Baltimore on Saturday, where ace pitcher CC Sabathia captured his 20th win of the season—a career high.
Prior to that was a come-from-behind win in the ninth inning of Friday’s game where the Yanks scored three runs to get the win 4–3. Robertson got it done from the mound in that game.
Andy Pettitte was the go-to pitcher on Sunday, making a comeback after being out of the rotation with injury.
The lefty got it done for New York in six innings, giving up one run and just three hits. Pettitte retired the last 11 batters he faced to completely shut down the Orioles offense.
But then the Orioles pulled the score to within one run 3–2 in the bottom of a dicey eighth inning.
The Orioles opened with a bunt by Corey Patterson to make it to first off Yankees reliever Boone Logan.
Kerry Wood then replaced Logan, but immediately gave up another single, this time to Matt Wieters, to allow the Orioles to cover both corners of the diamond.
After striking out Robert Andino, Wood then intentionally walked Nick Markakis to load the bases. But Adam Jones popped out to get Wood out of trouble.
Scott tied it up in the bottom of the ninth with his 27th homer of the season.
Orioles closer Koji Uehara gave the Yankees nothing in the top of the 10th, striking out three in a row.
Orioles reliever Michael Gonzales walked Alex Rodriguez in the top of the 11th, and was then replaced by pinch runner Eduardo Nunez. Gonzales threw the ball into the stands when trying to pick Nunez off at first. The error automatically put Nunez on third base with no outs.
Gonzales kept his composure though and struck out pinch hitter Marcus Thames. The Orioles then decided to intentionally walk Teixeira and Jeter to load the bases.
It was a big gamble, but it paid off. The Orioles defense made a double-play to end the inning and turn it over to Scott’s and Wigginton’s offensive tag team.
Luckily for the Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays also lost their Sunday game, falling to the Los Angeles Angels 6–3 after a 4–3 win on Saturday and 4–3 loss on Friday.
The Yankees have recaptured the AL East lead with the Rays 0.5 games back as the two teams head into a four-game series starting Monday.
