Derek Jeter Ties Lou Gehrig with 2,721 Career Hits in Yankees’ 4-2 Win
September 10, 2009 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Going into Wednesday’s game, Derek Jeter was in a 0-for-12 slump and stuck on 2,718 hits.
Most could tell the all-time Yankee hit record was on his mind because everyone in baseball was focused on him, and Jeter does not like that kind of personal attention.
Jeter had a plan of attack to end his slump and get back on track to hitting the baseball.
On the first pitch from rookie Jeff Niemann, Jeter laid down a bunt to the third base side that went past Niemann. Evan Longoria had no chance of getting to the ball. Jeter broke the 0-for-12 slump with his 2,719th hit, just two away from Lou Gehrig’s record.
In the third inning, Jeter grounded out to short, so Jeter was 1-for-2 and stuck on 2,719 hits.
In the fifth inning, Jeter drove a pitch off Niemann to dead center field over B.J. Upton’s head. It looked as if it might carry over the wall for a home run, but it bounced at the warning track and over the wall for a ground rule double, Jeter’s 2,720th hit, just one hit away from tying Gehrig’s record.
In the seventh inning, Jeter was back up and 2-for-3 on the night, just one hit away from making history. Jeter took Niemann’s first pitch and lined it past first baseman Chris Richard into right field as Yankee Stadium roared with celebration and cheers. Jeter had notched his 2,721st career hit and tied Gehrig’s all-time record.
Jeter took off his helmet and waved to the Yankee faithful in attendance as both benches were clapping for the Yankee captain.
In the bottom of the eighth, Jeter had one final chance to break Gehrig’s record off reliever Grant Balfour. Jeter worked the count to 3-2, and Balfour did not give Jeter anything good to hit, so Jeter worked a walk; he would not make history Wednesday night by surpassing Gehrig.
Oh yeah, there was an important baseball game played between the Yankees and Rays, even though it was basically the Derek Jeter show Wednesday night.
In the first inning, Jason Bartlett hit a leadoff home run off Joba Chamberlain, and Pat Burrell’s RBI single gave the Rays an early 2-0 lead.
Chamberlain was again shaky and only lasted three innings, allowing three hits and two runs and striking out three. All of those numbers were in the first inning
Following the first inning, the Rays were held hitless for eight innings.
After Chamberlain left, Alfredo Aceves pitched three scoreless innings and Jonathan Albaladejo pitched two scoreless innings.
In the eighth inning, Niemann was tired, but Joe Maddon was going to ride his rookie pitcher late. After Alex Rodriguez singled to left, Maddon pulled Niemann for Lance Cormier.
Hideki Matsui singled to right, which advanced Rodriguez to third, so the Yankees were set up with first and third and no outs. Nick Swisher came up and hit the ball to Richard, but Richard overthrew the ball to second base. The ball landed in the outfield and allowed Rodriguez to score, so the Yankees were within one. Maddon relieved Cormier with Grant Balfour.
After Robinson Cano struck out, Jorge Posada was called on to pinch-hit for Brett Gardner. Posada worked the count to 3-2 and took a Balfour fastball and drilled it into the right field seats for a pinch-hit, go-ahead, three-run home run to put the Yankees up 4-2.
In the ninth, Brian Bruney got the first two outs and Phil Coke got the final out to pick up his second save on the year for the 4-2 Yankees win.
In a night of history in the making, Niemann pitched an outstanding game despite the Jeter hits off him. He pitched seven innings, allowed eight hits and one run, and struck out eight. Because the bullpen failed him, he got a no-decision.
The Yankees bullpen was outstanding for six innings, allowing no hits and no runs. Chamberlain struggled in the first but was much better in the second and third innings and needs to work on not throwing as many pitches so early.
On Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, the night belonged to Derek Sanderson Jeter. He ties one of the greatest players in Yankee history and in baseball history for most hits and is one away from reaching immortality in history.
Whether the Yankees won or lost on Wednesday night was irrelevant, because all the fans cared about was Jeter’s chance at history, and he delivered for the fans that have supported him since 1996.
Friday night’s game against the Orioles will be one of the most anticipated games in recent time as Jeter will look for the 2,722nd hit of his career to pass Gehrig.
On Sept. 11, also known as Patriot Day and a day of remembrance of a tragic day in U.S. history eight years ago in 2001, Jeter will be looking to make his own history.
Orioles rookie Chris Tillman (1-3, 4.66) is the expected starter for Friday night’s game against the Yankees. Tillman has yet to face the Yankees in 2009.
Congratulations to Jeter on a great accomplishment. Everyone will be anticipating Friday night’s game to watch history in the making for one of the classiest players to ever put on a uniform.
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