Yankees Beat Rays In Walk Off Fashion

The Yankees offense was desperately in need of a jolt, and Derek Jeter delivered one in his first at bat since returning from the disabled list, belting a home run on the first pitch he saw to give the Bombers an early 1-0 lead. New York fed off of the magic of their Captain, riding the momentum of his return to a walk off 6-5 victory.

Alfonso Soriano played hero for the Bombers, hitting a 2-run home run in the third and driving in Brett Gardner in the bottom of the ninth to secure the walk off victory. The single, a hard grounder up the middle, came after Gardner drew a walk and advanced to second, Jeter was walked intentionally and Robinson Cano grounded out. The game winner was the biggest hit Soriano has had in a Yankee uniform since returning to the club last week in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. Soriano was traded from New York to Texas after the 2003 season in the deal that brought Alex Rodriguez to the Bronx.

Phil Hughes did his best to lose the game, playing hot potato with the lead for four innings. Hughes surrendered 9 hits and 5 runs after a spotless first inning, leaving the game in a 5-5 tie. Four of those earned runs came off the bat of young star Wil Meyers, who took Hughes deep and out twice. Preston Claiborne was stellar in relief of Hughes, combining with Boone Logan, David Robertson and Mariano Rivera for five scoreless innings. Mariano was credited with the victory.