Yankees Game 63: Brett big in series finale

Brett Gardner getting one of his four hits in today's win. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

New York Yankees 2 -- Seattle Mariners 1

Brett Gardner gets four hits in today's 2-1 win over the Seattle Mariners.

The Yankees had to face the ace of the Mariners staff, Felix Hernandez, in the finale of the series. Entering today's game with a five-game hitting streak; Gardner extended the hitting streak quickly with a single to start the game. Gardner would also steal his 10th base of the season and a pair of walks made for what should have been a big inning against the "King" but a strikeout of Ichiro would end the long first inning.

Jayson Nix would lead off the second inning with a single of his own and like Gardner, stole second base. For Nix, this was his eighth of the season. Chris Stewart would bunt for a single and that Gardner guy would come through. A line drive single to center field would bring in the first run of the game and give the Yankees the lead against Felix Hernandez.

The Yankees sent David Phelps to the mound and would match Felix Hernandez inning-for-inning. In the second inning, after receiving a one-run lead, Phelps would give it back. Shortstop Brendan Ryan would single in catcher Kelly Shoppach to tie the game at one. The zeroes would follow.

For six innings, David Phelps allowed one run on three hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Felix Hernandez produced seven innings of one-run baseball on five hits and two walks while striking out seven.

In the eighth inning, David Robertson and the Yankees faced a tough spot when a double and a sacrifice put a runner on third with one out. Robertson would turn to the curveball and would strikeout the next two batters and keep the game tied.

The tie would be broken in the ninth inning. Ichiro Suzuki would begin the inning with a walk and Jayson Nix would play his role, sacrificing Ichiro to second base. After the second out of the inning, Chris Stewart would come through with the go-ahead single, scoring Ichiro. With the lead, Mariano Rivera would take the mound. A lead off single would be erased on a 3-6 double play started by Mark Teixeira. Another pair of Mariners would reach base but Rivera would get the fly out for the 23rd save of the season.

Brett Gardner would get four of the team's seven hits. Mark Teixeira did strike out four times today but the double play he started in the ninth inning was huge.

Win - David Robertson (4-1)

Loss - Yoervis Medina (1-2)

Save - Mariano Rivera (23)

Notables

Yankees

*Brett Gardner - 4 for 5, 2B, RBI (27)

*Chris Stewart - 2 for 4, RBI (10)

Mariners

*Brendan Ryan - 1 for 2, RBI (14)

*Kelly Shoppach - 1 for 3, R, 2B

Current Yankees Record: 37-26

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