GAME 154: It was another milestone day for Derek Jeter, and another game closer to final post-season elimination for the Yankees. Regardless if his teammates join him, the Captain is going out with a bang. He went 2-5 today, for his third straight multi-hit game. Brian McCann‘s third-inning single through the left side of the infield scored Jeter — which was his 1,920th run scored, good enough for 9th place on the all-time list. He was tied with suspended teammate Alex Rodriguez. With his 9th inning double that plated Brett Gardner, Jeter passed Miguel Tejada on the all-time RBI list, moving him to Number 1oo, with 1,303 ribbys.
Walks Get Capuano in Hot Water
Starter Chris Capuano‘s command was off today, as the lefty allowed 4 walks and was tagged for 4 earned runs over 5.1 innings. The Jay’s snapped their 6-game losing streak, while halting New York’s win streak at three. Here’s the box score and recap.
“We’ve got a lead right there, we’re in the second half of the ballgame, so that’s tough,” Capuano said. “You hate to let a game get away from you when you’re kind of cruising like that.”
Days and Players Dwindling
With 8 games now to play, the Yankees return to 4.5 back of the second Wild Card slot. Cleveland jumped over them today. For what seems like forever, it’s still “run the table and get help from a whole bunch of teams”… The lineup took yet another blow with the departure of Mark Teixeira (sore right wrist) in the 5th inning. It also does not sound like Jacoby Ellsbury (hammy) will be back. The status of Carlos Beltran remains day-to-day.
Today in Yankees Baseball History
MEMORY LANE: On September 20, 1046, the Yankees released Red Ruffing.
In 1927, Babe Ruth ties Ned Williamson’s Major League mark of 27 home runs with a game-winner off Lefty Williams of the White Sox. Four days later he will hit number 28 over the roof of the Polo Grounds.
In 1931, Lou Gehrig drives in four runs to break his old American League RBI mark of 175, set in 1927. By the season’s end he will have a total of 184.
In 1961, the 155th Yankees game of 1961 (including a tie) is Roger Maris‘ last chance to beat Babe Ruth, in compliance with Commissioner Ford Frick‘s statement that, for the record to be broken, Maris must do it in the same number of games as Ruth. Maris’ 59th home run of the year, off Jack Fisher, is short of the record, but helps New York beat the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 as the Yankees clinch their 26th American League pennant.
In 1968, Mickey Mantle hit his last home run in the Major Leagues, a solo shot against Boston’s Jim Lonborg. Mantle had 536 homers.
Happy 60th Birthday to Mickey Klutts!
SOURCES: TodayInBaseballHistory.com, Baseball-Reference.com
