Orioles 5 - 6 Yankees
Final
  for this game

Jeter says goodbye to the Bronx in finale with Orioles

Sep 25, 2014 - 2:25 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Derek Jeter's final game at Yankee Stadium is coming a littler sooner than he had hoped.

One day after being officially eliminated from postseason consideration, Jeter says goodbye to the Bronx in the finale of the New York Yankees' four-game set with the American League East champion Baltimore Orioles.

"For him to do it one more time in Yankee Stadium, I think, is going to be special," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I've talked about how special it is to put a uniform on, how special it is to put on a Yankees uniform. It's very difficult to take it off. I think tomorrow will be kind of a culmination of all the love he's been shown and all the appreciation he's been shown during the course of this year, and in his career and I think it'll be something we'll remember for a long time."

Jeter, though, will not have a chance to help his team in the playoffs, as the Yankees were eliminated on Wednesday with a 9-5 loss to the Orioles. It's only the third time in Jeter's 20-year career the Yankees won't be in the postseason, but the second straight year, marking the first time the franchise has missed the playoffs in consecutive years since going 12 straight seasons from 1982-1993.

Amazingly, tonight's contest will only be the second of the 2,744 games Jeter will have played that the Yankees have been eliminated and the first at Yankee Stadium.

"It's tough. It's what you play for," said Jeter, a five-time World Series champion. "It's a rough feeling and it should be a rough feeling for everyone in here."

Rain is in the forecast for Thursday and it's unknown if Jeter will play this weekend in Boston.

"You can't help but notice," said Jeter of his pending farewell. "I catch myself looking around sometimes. I've always tried not to do that, but I've caught myself a couple of times doing it, so I'm well aware of it."

Getting the call for the Yankees on Thursday will be righty Hiroki Kuroda, who is 11-9 with a 3.77 ERA. Kuroda has won three of his last four decisions and struck out seven in a win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.

Jeter might not be the only one retiring at season's end, as the 39-year-old Kuroda could also be making his final appearance on Thursday.

That won't be the case for 23-year-old Baltimore starter Kevin Gausman, who gets his final tuneup before the postseason. Gausman has been solid for the O's going 7-7 with a 3.57 ERA and could start a potential fourth game in the American League Division Series.

Gausman battled through a blister in a no-decision against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, but it doesn't appear to be an issue.

Baltimore is 13-5 against New York this season and will boast a winning record against the Yankees in a season for the first time since 1997.






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