A-Rod, Matsui Break Out in 10th vs. Rays

Slumping Duo Deliver Winning Hits in 4-2 Victory

Alex Rodriguez had was on a 3-27 when he came to bat in the top of the 10th last night at Tropicana Field in Tampa, FL. The Yankees had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out and the Devil Rays had the infield in. An ideal situation for a hitter even one in a slump. Rodriguez had already hit into an inning ending double play with two men aboard in the sixth. This time Rodriguez came through, lining a single to center to score Johnny Damon and move Derek Jeter to third. The next hitter was Hideki Matsui, who after making some adjustments to his grip, had solid at-bats in the game. That included a drive that was snared by right fielder Damon Hollins, robbing him of extra bases, in the second. Matsui pulled a pitch through the ride side for a base hit to give the Yankees a 4-2. Mariano Rivera closed things out with a 1-2-3 bottom half of the 10th for his 5th save.

Damon started off the 10th with a ground rule double off of reliever Tyler Walker (0-2). After Jeter walked, Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon deployed the right side overshift on Jason Giambi even though two men were on. Giambi hit the ball right at shortstop Tomas Perez who had no choice but to throw to first to get Giambi. A-Rod and Matsui then finally made an opponent pay the price for putting men on in front of them.

Yankee starter Jaret Wright didn't figure in the decision, but much to the Yankees relief came out with a quality start. Wright gave up a 2-run home run to Tomas Perez in the fifth, but allowed just 3 hits over 6 innings of work. Kyle Farnsworth worked an inning and a third to earn his first victory as a Yankee.

Rays starter Casey Fossum blanked the Yankees through the first six innings, but was chased in the seventh when he gave up a one-out single to Bernie Williams and a double to Robinson Cano. Joe Torre sent Jorge Posada up to pinch-hit for Andy Phillips against hard throwing right-hander Chad Orvella. Posada delivered with an RBI single to right to cut the lead in half. Miguel Cairo's soft grounder to third scored Cano with the tying run.

Notes

Another slumping that broke out last night was Bernie Williams. Bernie came into the game in a 3-22 slide, but had 3 hits to raise his average to .246.

Gary Sheffield's left wrist feels a lot better and he might be in tonight's lineup.