MLB: Mariano Rivera Blows Save, Gives Up Home Run to Adam Jones
By Stu White
The historically dominate and unflappable Mariano Rivera, who entered today’s game looking to surpass the great Trevor Hoffman by achieving 30 saves in a season for the 15th time, gave up a two-run home run to Adam Jones with one runner on base and one Oriole out in the top of the 9th inning. The homer was all the Baltimore Orioles needed to beat the New York Yankees 2-1.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, today marked Rivera’s ninth blown save against the Orioles, which is the most by any pitchers against the franchise. (However, he has also saved 76 games over the course of his career versus the Orioles, a mark that is more than 40 saves more than any other pitcher).
The loss snapped the six-game winning streak the Yankees were on, their longest such streak of the season. New York now has a record of 48-40. The Baltimore Orioles are slightly better at 49-40.
New York managed six hits off Baltimore’s Jason Hammel but only managed to earn a single run for their efforts (a sacrifice fly Eduardo Nunez in the 2nd inning that scored Zoilo Almonte). Relief pitcher Darren O’Day earned the win for the Orioles to improve his record to 5-0 on the season.
The winning home run was Adam Jones’ 16th homer on the season and also accounted for his 61st RBI.
[Source: ESPN]