Martin Walk Off Lifts Yanks Over A’s 2-1

The Yankees (87-63) edged the Oakland Athletics (85-65) 2-1 in 10 innings in what started as an old fashion pitcher’s duel at Yankee Stadium on Friday night and ended in walk-off fashion. C.C. Sabathia was brilliant against a playoff bound A’s team. Sabathia went eight shutout innings gave up three hits and struck out 11. The Yankee’s led going into the ninth until Rafael Soriano blew the save opportunity giving up a game tying home run to pinch hitter Brandon Moss in the top of the ninth.

In the bottom of the tenth Russell Martin drilled a lead off solo home run off of Oakland reliever Sean Doolitte to win it for the Yanks.  It was Martin’s 18^th of the season.

Oakland starter Jarrod Parker was stellar himself going eight innings giving up one run on six hits and struck out seven. The first Yankee run came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Nick Swisher led off the inning with a single through the right side. Alex Rodriguez then laced a single up the middle sending Swisher to third. The next batter Curtis Granderson brought in Swisher with a sac-fly to deep left field. Yoenis Cespedes was unable to throw out Swisher at the plate.

Two of the Oakland hits off of Sabathia came from Stephen Drew who broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff single in the fifth; he later singled off of Sabathia with one out in the eighth.

David Roberston got the win for the Yankees (2-7), pitching a perfect 10^th inning.

Derek Jeter’s single in the sixth inning extended his hitting streak to 15 games.

The Yankees went a season high 24 games over .500 with the win.

The Yankees will play the Oakland Athletics again on Saturday afternoon. Travis Blackley (5-3 3.36) will start for the A’s while Ivan Nova (12-7 4.85) will get the start for the Yankees. Pregame coverage begins at 12:30, first pitch at 1:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.