“Kind of a amusing hit at the end”, he told reporters following the game. “Not how I pictured it when I woke up this morning, but definitely I’m glad that run came in and we won the game”.
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On Friday night, he is scheduled to play his final game at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees announced Sunday that Rodriguez will be released following the game. Rodriguez has been with the Yankees since 2004, costing NY $317 million while helping them win one World Series.
“I thought it would be a cool way to go out”, Rodriguez said. Rodriguez will not get a final start at third base, because the games are still important. Since June 25, Rodriguez has seven hits in his last 55 at-bats and when his occasional start resulted in unproductive at-bats it gradually led to rookie Gary Sanchez becoming part of the designated hitter mix.
Girardi said he would have been open to it were the Yankees out of contention, and he would still be open to it if Friday’s game becomes a blowout.
“I’m focusing on, this is it”, he said. “But it ends up being a big run”.
Alex Rodriguez (right) celebrates a 4-2 win over the Red Sox on Thursday.
Facing Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, A-Rod hit a soft liner to Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia in his first trip.
“It went in the lights, but that’s no excuse. ‘I should have caught it”. “I’m not going to use four guys in one slot, particularly the way that matchup unfolded, with Brentz pulling the right-handed reliever out of the bullpen and then pinch-hitting Brentz for David in that spot”.
For as impressive as Andrew Benintendi has been through his first two weeks in the big leagues, mistakes are bound to happen and a big one contributed to Boston’s loss on Thursday night.
The Yankees responded when Rodriguez allowed a solo homer to Austin Romine in the top of the third to tie the game at one. Last time out, he struck out nine over six innings of two-run ball in a 10-2 win over the White Sox.
– Ziegler picked up his third loss of the season, giving up a run for the first time in four appearances.
Hanley Ramirez drove in both runs for Boston, which holds a half-game lead on the Detroit Tigers for the second AL wild card.
– Ramirez collided with a baserunner while playing first base in the eighth inning.
Ramirez stayed in the game after being checked out. In his career, Rodriguez had hit 29 balls out of Fenway, but for the first time he trekked inside the wall. I’ll get a chance to say goodbye to our great fans.
Rodriguez handed over a bat to a young boy he said he made a deal with in the first inning. Yankees starter Michael Pineda was lucky to get through six innings with just two runs. It turned out to be Door No. 3. “And the proposal is, ‘If I do one of three of the following, you get my bat.’ He was all excited”.
Ziegler credited the Yankees for the rally in the eighth.
“I felt like I made a couple pretty good pitches”.
Trailing 2-1, NY (58-56) loaded the bases for Ellsbury with one out in the eighth.
Ortiz left Wednesday night’s game during an at-bat in the ninth inning after fouling a ball off his shin. Manager John Farrell said Betts’ calf was still sore and he needed a night off.
Yankees: LHP C.C. Sabathia (6-9, 4.18 ERA) starts as the Yankees return to NY for a weekend series against Tampa Bay.
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Chris Archer will start for the Rays. The D’backs Patrick Corbin (4-11, 5.37 ERA) will face off against David Price (9-8, 4.34 ERA) beginning at 7:10 EST.
