New York Yankees 5 — Washington Nationals 3 (14 innings)
Mark Teixeira came through in the 14th inning in today’s 5-3 win over the Washington Nationals, their 8th win in a row.
In today’s marathon of a game, Andy Pettitte started for the Yankees. In his 7 innings of work, he only gave up 2 runs on a shocking broken-bat double by Jesus Flores that almost had the distance to leave the park in the 2nd inning. Other than that hit, Pettitte was strong enough to hold the Nationals to that and give the Yankees the opportunity to win. Cory Wade took over in the 8th inning and looked to have a quick inning as he got the first two outs on just two pitches. Unfortunately his third batter faced, Ian Desmond, took him deep and tied the game for a long time. Dewayne Wise was moved into right field in the middle of the 8th inning and this became a key change as a single was laced into right field with a runner on 2nd. The runner on 2nd base made a dash for home and Wise threw him out to keep the game tied, even though replays indicated that the runner may have been safe. Four pitchers kept the Nationals off of the scoreboard for 5.1 innings, including 2 innings by the eventual winner, Freddy Garcia. Rafael Soriano made it a little close but was able to hold off the Nationals and close the game for the save.
You can’t win without hits and the Yankees last hit prior to the 14th inning was Eric Chavez’s run-scoring double in the 6th. The other two runs the Yankees scored were on an error and a ground out so their inabilities with runners in scoring position were very evident in today’s marathon. Jayson Nix started the 14th with a soft single to center and a steal with Derek Jeter at the plate. Another single brought Nix to 3rd base and gave Teixeira an opportunity to come through big. He did just that when he hit a double into the right field corner for 2 runs and that was enough for the lead. Throughout this game the Yankees were 0 for 11 with runners in scoring position and by the end they were just 2 for 18. Another key statistic of note is that this is the first game the Yankees have won without the benefit of a home run. In games of this nature, the Yankees were 0 and 12 before today’s victory.
Win – Freddy Garcia (1-2)
Loss – Brad Lidge (0-1)
Save – Rafael Soriano (12)
Notable
Yankees
*Mark Teixeira – 1 for 6, BB, 2B, 2 RBI (38)
*Eric Chavez – 2 for 5, BB, 2B, RBI (8)
Nationals
*Ian Desmond – 1 for 6, R, Solo Home Run (10) in the 8th, RBI (33)
*Jesus Flores – 2 for 6, 2B, 2 RBI (11)
Current Yankees Record: 39-25
Ryan Nakada
