Rodriguez comes through with grand slam in ninth as Yanks down O's

Apr 7, 2007, 20:45 GMT

Bronx, NY - Alex Rodriguez belted a grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the New York Yankees to an improbable 10-7 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

Rodriguez also hit a two-run homer in the first inning for New York, which trailed 7-2 at one point but pulled within 7-6 in the eighth on a three-run homer by Jason Giambi.

Chris Ray was on to close it out for Baltimore and retired the first two batters of the ninth before Robinson Cano singled. Derek Jeter then drew a walk and Bobby Abreu was hit by a pitch to set the stage for Rodriguez, who drilled a 1-2 pitch over the wall in center field for his sixth career walkoff home run and third as a Yankee.

'It felt awesome,' Rodriguez said. 'I was so excited. I felt like a fool running around the bases -- like in Little League. I almost knocked [third base coach Larry] Bowa over at third.'

Rodriguez, who has three homers this season, also doubled, walked and scored four runs in the victory. He has 14 career grand slams.

'I knew right away. I hit that ball well,' added Rodriguez, who has been chided by many fans in New York for his lack of clutch hits. 'I knew it was going to come down to me. Somehow or another, it always ends up with me.'

Melvin Mora doubled home three runs and added a two-run homer for Baltimore, which won Friday's series-opener 6-4. Nick Markakis also homered and Brian Roberts added a run batted in for the Orioles.

Ray (0-1) blew the save for Steve Trachsel, who pitched well in his Orioles debut. The right-hander, signed by Baltimore after six seasons with the Mets, gave up three runs on four hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings.

Kei Igawa made his major league debut for New York and was roughed up in five innings. The latest Japanese import was ripped for seven runs on eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts. He also committed an error.

'The fastball was the only pitch he could throw over for a strike,' said New York manager Joe Torre. 'They're not going to let you get away with that. He'll be out there next turn. We expect better and I'm sure he does, too.'

New York's bullpen, however, was stellar. Brian Bruney, Mike Myers and Luis Vizcaino each threw a hitless inning and Mariano Rivera (1-0) allowed one hit in the ninth to record the victory.

The Orioles reached Igawa for a run in the first when Markakis clubbed a two- out homer, but the Yankees responded with two in the bottom of the frame as Abreu drew a two-out walk and Rodriguez followed with a blast over the left field fence.

Igawa then got into trouble in the second when Aubrey Huff, Kevin Millar and Corey Patterson each singled to load the bases. Chris Gomez popped out and Alberto Castillo struck out, but Roberts drew a walk to force in the tying run and Mora cleared the bases with a bloop double down the right field line to give Baltimore a 5-2 edge.

Roberts started the top of the fourth with a walk and Mora followed with his second homer to push the lead to 7-2, but the Yankees got one back in the bottom of the inning when Rodriguez doubled and scored on a two-out single by Jorge Posada.

New York clawed back to within one with one swing of the bat in the eighth. Abreu and Rodriguez drew one-out walks from Danys Baez and Giambi connected for his first homer of the season to make it a 7-6 game.

Game Notes

Mora tied a career high with five runs batted in. The last time he accomplished the feat was September 27, 2005 against the Yankees...Bruney pitched the sixth for the Yankees and struck out the 2-3-4 hitters -- Mora, Markakis and Miguel Tejada. Tejada was 0-for-5...New York's Hideki Matsui left the contest after four innings with a strained left hamstring. Miguel Cairo replaced him in left field...Johnny Damon did not start for New York because of a calf injury, but pinch hit in the eighth and stayed in the game to play center field in the ninth.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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