Yanks Go Yard Recap: The Captain’s Return Helps Spark New York Yankees Offense

Although his debut was cut short, the return of Derek Jeter is going to be very important for the New York Yankees moving forward.  Jeter went 1-4  in the game, but left early due to an injured quad and will be getting an MRI on it. Nevertheless, the Yankees split the four game set with the Royals by winning 8-4 today.

July 11, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter

waits on deck to bat in the 6th inning against the Kansas City Royalsduring the game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Alex Gordon and Alcides Escobar singled of Andy Pettitte to start the game. After a forceout, Billy Butler walked to load the bases. Salvador Perez‘s double plated two runs and Lorenzo Cain‘s sac fly made it 3-0. The Yankees came back right away in the bottom half. Jeter and Robinson Cano singled with one out. Vernon Wells brought Jeter in with a sac fly.

The Royals took advantage of shoddy defense by Pettitte in the second. David Lough bunted for a base hit and went to second on Pettitte’s error. He scored two batters later on Escobar’s single.

The Yanks came right back in the bottom half of the frame. Eduardo Nunez singled with one and went to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Austin Romine doubled home Nunez. Ichiro followed with a single to bring home Romine and make it 4-3.

The Yankees took the lead for good in the fifth. Ichiro led off with a single and stole second. Two straight walks followed after Jeter’s groundout to load the bases. Lyle Overbay, Zoilo Almonte and Nunez each followed with run scoring singles.

Jeter would get his first RBI of the year on a groundout in the sixth to bring home Cruz.

YGY Player Of The Game: Jeter

The last series before the All-Star break begins tomorrow night against the Twins at 7:05. Hiroki Kuroda will face Scott Diamond.

Notes: To make room for Jeter, Travis Ishikawa was designated for assignment. Alex Rodriguez will not be in the majors until July 22 at the earliest. Jeter is 7th and Mariano Rivera is second among jersey sales. David Robertson finished second in the voting for the last spot in the All-Star Game to Steve Delabar.