Yankees Take Two of Three From Rays Behind Homers, Strong Chamberlain
July 29, 2009 · A.J. Martelli · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
In the rubber game of a three-game set in Tampa Bay, the New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night, 6-2.
Robinson Cano stood out on the offensive side of the game, knocking in two runs on the night.
In the top of the sixth, Cano smacked his 16th home run of the year off Rays’ starter Matt Garza, who waved goodbye as the ball sailed over the right field fence.
Earlier on in the top of the fourth inning, Cano grounded out to second to score Alex Rodriguez from third, giving him an RBI on the play.
Mark Teixeira also pieced together a good night, smacking his 26th home run of the year in the top of the ninth. He also got the Yanks on the board in the top of the first, wrapping an RBI single to score Derek Jeter.
Teixeira is now tied with Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins for the American League lead in the home run category.
Melky Cabrera also took the Rays deep in the top of the ninth, clubbing his ninth home run of the season. With that round-tripper, he has set a career-high in home runs.
Capping off the Yankee offense was Jorge Posada, who added an RBI single to score pinch-runner Cody Ransom in the top of the eighth.
The Rays were able to get two runs on the night, both of which came in the bottom of the ninth.
Evan Longoria took Brian Bruney deep for his 21st home run of the year, a two-run blast that flew over the left field wall.
Joba Chamberlain took mound for the Yankees and spun a gem.
In arguably his best start of the year, Chamberlain matched his career-high innings mark with eight and gave up no runs on only three hits. He walked two and struck out five.
“I think this has been his best performance for us,” Yankee skipper Joe Girardi said of his outing.
“He was great; I think he looks different because he is throwing the ball so well. His last three starts are as good as we’ve seen him, and it’s a great way to start a road trip.”
Chamberlain picked up the win and now owns a season record of 7-2.
“It was one of my best starts,” Chamberlain said to the media after the game.
“It felt good just playing catch, really. Keeping B.J. (Upton) and Carl (Crawford) off the bases was huge. They have a great lineup up and down, so you have to be on your game from start to finish.”
Taking two out of three from the Rays and winning 11 of their last 13 games, the Yankees will now head to Chicago to open up a four-game series against the White Sox starting tomorrow night.
Andy Pettitte (8-6, 4.67 ERA) will take the ball for the Bronx Bombers. Yankees.com has Gavin Floyd (8-6, 4.24 ERA) penciled in as the White Sox starter.
Media credit: YES Network
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