Yanks Go Yard Recap: Soriano Stars As New York Yankees Win In Walk-Off Fashion

This is one of those games that gives you hope as a Yankee fan. It gives you hope that maybe, just maybe, this team might be able to go on a run and make the playoffs. With the help of the return of the captain, the Yankees salvaged a game against the Tampa Bay Rays winning 6-5.

Jul 28, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder

(center) is congratulated by teammates including shortstop

(2) and second baseman

(24) after hitting a game-winning single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees got off to a quick start in the first, something they really haven’t been able to do. Of course the man who began it was Derek Jeter. Jeter just has that flair when he can do something special, and he did by homering off Matt Moore on the first pitch he saw to give the Yankees the early 1-0 lead. Robinson Cano and Alfonso Soriano followed with singles. Vernon Wells drove in Cano with a sac fly, and Ichiro Suzuki followed with a single of his own to make it 3-0.

The Rays got one of the runs back in the top of the second. James Loney and Matt Joyce singled and Kelly Johnson doubled in Loney. They then took the lead in the third. With one out, Evan Longoria and Loney singled and Wil Myers followed with his eighth homer of the season.

The Yankees fought back in their half of the third. Jeter singled and went to second on a balk. Two batters later, Soriano hit his first homer back with the Yankees, his 18th of the year.

Myers hit his second homer of the game leading off the fifth off Phil Hughes to tie the game.

The game would remain tied at five until the ninth thanks to both bullpens pitching well. Brett Gardner led off with a walk. He went to second on a wild pitch. The Rays walked Jeter intentionally. After Cano struck out, Soriano ended the game with his fourth hit of the afternoon with a game-winning single.

YGY Player Of The Game: Soriano

The Yanks are off tomorrow but will travel to LA to take on the Dodgers for two games on Tuesday and Wednesday night. Andy Pettitte will face Zack Greinke at 10:05 ET.

Notes: Jeter’s homer in the first was the first by a right-handed hitter  on the active roster since Chris Stewart on May 15. It was also the team’s first homer since the All-Star Break. After the game, Jayson Nix was activated off the DL and David Adams was optioned to AAA.  Hideki Matsui signed a one-day minor league contract to officially retire as a Yankee. There was a pre-game ceremony to honor him.