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Ichiro came through with the game-winning two-run single in the 9th.

Yankees Game 19: Ichiro breaks the tie

Ichiro came through with the game-winning two-run single in the 9th.

New York Yankees 4 — Tampa Bay Rays 3

 

With the game tied, Ichiro Suzuki came through in tonight’s 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

 

Phil Hughes started tonight’s game and the first inning almost felt as if it was a sign of bad things to come. It all started with a walk, keep that in mind. Using 32 pitches, Hughes gave up just one run but a hard-fought 11-pitch strikeout of Evan Longoria took a chunk out of Hughes’ pitch count. But Hughes settled down and held the Rays off the scoreboard. To put fans at ease, Phil Hughes had a  four-pitch fourth inning that helped regulate his pitch count to a reasonable level, allowing him to go through seven innings.

In the seventh inning, a walk led off the inning for Hughes. A pair of singles would put the Rays ahead before Hughes ended the inning. On 109 pitches, Phil Hughes went seven innings, giving up two runs on six hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. Another noteworthy statistic is that Hughes did not give up any home runs tonight. This was his second start without a home run allowed.

David Price entered tonight’s game seeking his first win of the season and found himself in a pitcher’s duel with Hughes. A wild pitch on strike three to Eduardo Nunez would allow him to reach base in the fourth inning. Robinson Cano would get a single to move Nunez to third base and extend his hitting streak to six. Vernon Wells would single home Nunez and tie the game at one at the time.

In the eighth inning, the Yankees were trailing by one but a pair of singles started a rally. A productive ground out by Brett Gardner would tie the game and take Hughes off the hook for the loss.

In the ninth inning, David Price was still pitching and on his 99th pitch, Robinson Cano would get his second hit of the night, ending Price’s night. With the game tied, closer Fernando Rodney would come on and face Vernon Wells. The slow delivery to the plate would allow Cano to steal second base on the strikeout of Wells. This was Cano’s first stolen base of the season. Pinch-hitter Travis Hafner would be intentionally walked to face Lyle Overbay. On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, Overbay would walk to load the bases with one out. Chris Stewart would pop out but Ichiro Suzuki would cash-in on the first pitch of his at-bat. With a line drive to center field, the Yankees rightfielder put the Yankees ahead by two. Mariano Rivera would be called upon for his sixth save of the season.

The first pitch that Mariano Rivera delivered to Evan Longoria was a cutter that Longoria took deep for a solo home run to left field. Rivera would brush the home run off quickly as he got the next three batters out and earned his sixth save of the season.

 

Win – David Robertson (1-0)

Loss – David Price (0-2)

Save – Mariano Rivera (6)

 

Notables

Yankees

*Ichiro Suzuki – 2 for 4, R, 2 RBI (5)

*Vernon Wells – 1 for 4, RBI (9)

Rays

*Evan Longoria – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (5) in the 9th, RBI (10)

*Jose Molina – 1 for 3, RBI (3)

 

Current Yankees Record: 11-8

 

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