Even on a day where the incomparable Mariano Rivera failed to deliver, the New York Yankees were still able to summon a victory over the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers.
Rivera allowed two home runs in the 9th inning (to Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, respectively), ceding a 4-2 lead that was built on the strength of none other than Alex Rodriguez. It was just the 5th blown save of Rivera’s season, but he was bailed out in a major way, and the final result was his 3rd “victory” of the year.
In the bottom of the 9th, Brett Gardner took Rivera off of the hook, blasting a walk-off solo home run off of the newly-acquired Jose Veras. Gardner is an unlikely source of that type of power, as it was only his 8th home run of the season, but it came at the right time to propel the Yanks to a much-needed win.
The aforementioned Alex Rodriguez was the “other” big story of the game, and for once, it was for his on-field exploits. The third baseman went 2-for-4 in the win, blasting the first home run of his comeback while also providing a 3rd-inning RBI single that plated Robinson Cano. For Rodriguez, this has to be a building block for whatever is left of his season, and the Yankees could really use his “pop” for as long as he is eligible to play.
With the Tigers firmly in control of their own destiny in the AL Central, this loss shouldn’t be damning for them. However, the Yankees needed this one badly, and the emotional roller coaster of watching their leader blow a 2-run lead followed by a walk-off home run is enough to send any New York fan to the edge. They can thank Brett Gardner for bringing them back.