Yankees rally to regain 3 game lead over AL East over Orioles

For the first 7 innings, it looked as if the Orioles were in control to finally close the gap of the AL East to one game, leaving the Yankees in shock and despair. However, the game ended up taking an odd twist in the 7th inning where walks were the way to score tying and go ahead runs as the Yankees defeated the Orioles 4-3 to tie the series at one game apiece.

Eduardo Nunez (who joined the roster today) hit an RBI to cut the lead to a one run deficit. Ichiro then followed suit with a walk to load the bases. Derek Jeter didn’t have to do anything fancy to get the run home–he walked. So did Nick Swisher which gave the Yankees a 4-3 lead. 

David Phelps wasn’t sharp but he was able to keep the Yankees in the game throughout 5 innings. It was startling that he gave up 5 walks and hit a batter. Boone Logan took over for 2.2 innings and David Robertson & Rafael Soriano followed. 

The biggest bullet that was dodged (besides the Yankees having a 3 game lead instead of a  1 game lead) was Curtis Granderson. Granderson left the game after he grimaced during his at-bat. His MRI showed he had mild tendinitis and he will most likely play tomorrow, at least that’s what he told reporters. 

“”I didn’t feel a pop or a snap or anything like that. Just something didn’t feel right.” Granderson said. Well Curtis, we’re glad that you’re all right. With A-Rod coming back Monday and Teixeira on Friday, we didn’t need anyone else getting bit by the injury bug. 

– Brandon Laird was claimed off of waivers by the Houston Astros, so there was another Yankee we lost to them. We also lost Justin Maxwell earlier in the year.