Yanks Go Yard Recap: Lillibridge Redeems Himself As New York Yankees Comeback In The Ninth
By Jason Evans
Brett Lillibridge is one of those random guys you see at the end of the roster who are those super utility players that bounce around. The most famous thing he had done involving the Yankees was this and he wasn’t even on the team at this point. Although his error started a Ranger rally, his hit in the ninth gave the Yankees the lead en route to their 5-4 victory.
Jul 23, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Yankees second baseman
Brent Lillibridge(39) singles in the winning run during the ninth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The Yankees won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Yankees took the early lead in the third. Melky Mesa, making his first start of the season, doubled for the first extra base hit for the team since Saturday. Austin Romine followed with a double of his own. Brett Gardner‘s single moved him to third and Ichiro Suzuki followed up with a single of his own to bring in Romine. The Yanks made it 3-0 in the fourth when Vernon Wells doubled, went to third on a groundout and scored on Lillibridge’s fielder’s choice.
Lillibridge played a part in the Rangers taking the lead in the bottom of the sixth. His error on Nelson Cruz‘s ball with one out gave the Rangers life. Adrian Beltre followed with a double to make it 3-1.
After a groundout moved him to third, Elvis Andrus ended Phil Hughes‘ night with an RBI single. Enter Boone Logan to face Mitch Moreland. Moreland promptly deposited a pitch over the centerfield fence to give the Rangers a 4-3 lead.
The game stayed that way until the ninth. Wells walked with one out off Joe Nathan. A wild pitch on a misstep by Nathan moved him to second. Eduardo Nunez smacked a triple off the centerfield fence to tie the game. Joe Girardi let Lillibridge hit over Travis Hafner and he came through with a single for the game winner.
YGY Player Of The Game: Lillibridge
Andy Pettitte will face Matt Garza in his Rangers debut at 8:05 ET.
Notes: Derek Jeter took BP and did some running. He is eligible to be activated off the DL Saturday. There was talk earlier in the day about the team being close to acquiring Alfonso Soriano. As of this post, there isn’t anything new to report on it except it may not be that close. The trade deadline is next Wednesday at 4ET.