Jays Down Yankees With Late Rally
Posted September 30, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Yankees could very well be playing in the World Series, but before they do that, they have a three-game set to finish with Toronto.
For the Blue Jays it will definitely be the last series of the year, and although wins and losses are meaningless at this point, it’s one they would like to win.
John Gibbons’ club put itself in the position to do just that Saturday, rallying late to capture a 6-5 win over the Bronx Bombers in the Big Apple.
Alex Rios got the key hit, a two-run triple in a four-run seventh that put the Jays back in front. Lyle Overbay had two hits on the afternoon, including a solo shot in the fifth.
Of course the Yankees, preparing for Tuesday’s playoffs opener against Minnesota or Detroit and assured of homefield advantage throughout the postseason, took their proverbial foot off the pedal, but with Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano chasing the American League batting title, there was at least a little something on the line.
Jeter went 3-for-3 with a walk, raising his average to .345, and Robinson Cano was 1-for-4, lowering his to .341. Minnesota’s Joe Mauer, who leads the AL at .346, didn’t play Saturday.
Jeter also got his 2,148 th hit, which moved him past Yogi Berra into seventh on the Yankees career list.
The remainder of New York’s offence came from Alex Rodriguez’s 35 th home run and Gary Sheffield’s sixth dinger of the year. But Toronto starter Shaun Marcum kept his team in the game, turning the ball over to Jason Frasor (3-2) who earned the win in relief.
Closer B.J. Ryan worked the ninth and picked up his 38 th save of the season.
Yankees starter Jeff Karstens looked unstoppable early, retiring his first 12 hitters before Overbay’s blast, but gave way to the flotsam of the New York bullpen, which wasn’t nearly as effective. Karstens gave up four runs – two earned – and five hits in 6 2-3 innings. Mike Myers (1-2) took the loss.
The win keeps the Jays tied with Boston for second in the AL East, and sets up the opportunity for a series win in their last of the year.
The season finale pits Toronto’s Dustin McGowan (1-2) against Jaret Wright (11-7) for the Yanks.