AMERICAN LEAGUE
REUTERS AND AP, NEW YORK AND TORONTO
PHOTO: AP
Melky Cabrera lined a two-out, bases-loaded single in the ninth inning off Minnesota closer Joe Nathan to give the New York Yankees a dramatic 5-4 comeback victory over the Twins on Friday.
Minnesota led 4-2 going into the final frame, but the Yanks made it a one-run game after Brett Gardner hit a lead-off triple and scored on Mark Teixeira’s double to right.
A walk to Alex Rodriguez and a later intentional walk to Robinson Cano loaded the bases with two outs for Cabrera, who lashed a low, outside fastball to left to score two runs and set off a wild celebration on the field by the stripes.
Cabrera, who in spring training competed for the center-field job against Gardner, rose to the occasion after Nathan intentionally walked Cano to pitch to him.
Jose Veres (2-1), the sixth Yankees pitcher, got the win after striking out the only batter he faced in the ninth.
Nathan (1-1), one of baseball’s elite relievers, gave up three runs on three hits and two walks to take the loss.
Justin Morneau belted two home runs and Joe Mauer powered another for Minnesota (18-18).
Derek Jeter and Gardner homered for the Yankees (18-17), the latter punching an inside-the-park homer on a fly ball that eluded Twins left-fielder Denard Span.
Alex Rodriguez, who missed the first five weeks of the season recuperating from hip surgery, walked four times and struck out once in his first game at the new US$1.5 billion ball park.
RAYS 8, INDIANS 7
In St Petersburg, Florida, B.J. Upton’s ninth-inning homer capped the biggest comeback in Tampa Bay history, edging Cleveland.
The defending AL champions fell behind 7-0 before rallying with plenty of help from the Indians.
In other AL games it was:
• Blue Jays 8, White Sox 3
• Rangers 10, Angels 8
• Mariners 5, Red Sox 4
• Royals 8, Orioles 1
• Tigers 14, Athletics 1
In NL games it was:
• Dodgers 6, Marlins 4
• Mets 8, Giants 6
• Padres 5, Reds 3
• Braves 4, Diamondbacks 3
• Rockies 3, Pirates 1
• Phillies 10, Nats 6, 12 inns
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