Recap: NY Yankees vs. Kansas City
Sports Network | August 16, 2008
Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Esteban German had two doubles and scored twice, including the go-ahead run in the ninth, to lead the Kansas City Royals in a 4-3 victory over the New York Yankees in the opener of a three-game set.
The Royals inched ahead, 4-3, in the ninth off Mariano Rivera (4-5). German doubled with one out and Mitch Maier followed with a single. Rivera then uncorked his first wild pitch of the season, which allowed German to score, before retiring Mike Aviles and Mark Teahen to get out of the inning.
Pinch-hitter Wilson Betemit led off the home ninth with an infield single off Joakim Soria, but pinch-runner Justin Christian was picked off at first base for the first out. Johnny Damon then grounded out, but Derek Jeter clubbed a single to right, Bobby Abreu earned a free pass and Alex Rodriguez reached on a slow roller towards third to load the bases. Jason Giambi, however, flied out to center to end the threat and the game, while giving Soria his 33rd save.
Teahen drove in two runs for the Royals, who have recorded wins in just two of their last nine contests. Gil Meche lasted six innings and was touched for one run on six hits and a pair of walks while fanning eight for the no-decision and to remain unbeaten in his last eight starts. Leo Nunez (4-1) picked up the win as he tossed 1 2/3 frames of one-hit ball.
Jeter, who sat out Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Twins with a bruised instep, went 3-for-4, drove in a run and scored for the Yankees, who have dropped six of their last seven games. Abreu and Rodriguez also knocked in a run in defeat. Andy Pettitte lasted seven stanzas and yielded three runs on six hits and four walks with seven strikeouts, but did not factor in the decision.
The Royals got on the board in the second stanza as Jose Guillen led off with a walk. Billy Butler flied out but Alex Gordon made it second and third with a double and Ross Gload offered a sac fly to center to make it 1-0.
John Buck broke an 0-for-30 slump as he led off the fifth with a ground-rule double. German walked before Maier moved the runners over with a sac bunt, and Aviles was intentionally walked to load the bases. Teahen then crushed a two-run, ground-rule double to left-center and Guillen was intentionally walked to load the bases again.
Butler flied to left for the second out and Gordon went down swinging to end the threat, though the damage had been done as it was 3-0 KC.
The Yankees pulled within 3-1 in the home half. Jose Molina led off with a ground-rule double, but Damon popped out. Jeter then crushed an RBI single up the middle and Abreu belted a high, fly ball to deep right that appeared as though it was going to tie the game, but Guillen caught it at the warning track for the second out. Rodriguez flied out to end the rally.
NY tied it up in the seventh. With Ron Mahay on the mound and one away, Damon and Jeter both walked. Abreu then added an RBI single off Nunez and Rodriguez offered a sac fly to plate Jeter and make it 3-3.
New York's recent struggles have dropped them 10 1/2 games back of Tampa Bay in the AL-East and seven behind Boston in the wild card chase, putting a damper on the team's chances of reaching the postseason for a 14th consecutive campaign...The Royals have won five of their eight matchups with the Yankees this season...Prior to the game, the Yankees optioned outfielder Melky Cabrera to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, designated first baseman Richie Sexson for assignment and recalled infielder Brett Gardner and pitcher Chris Britton from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The club also purchased the contract of infielder Cody Ransom and placed pitcher Dan Giese on the 15-day disabled list...Kansas City also made some roster moves before the duel. The Royals optioned pitcher Kyle Davies to Triple-A Omaha and recalled pitcher Jeff Fulchino from Omaha.
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