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Yankees rally past Angels to salvage series split

Aug 4, 2008 - 12:00 AM By Larry Fleisher PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- Justin Christian's intentions were to steal third base - but like any other occasion, he looked to see where the ball was. As soon as he saw it was not anywhere near him, he broke for home plate.

Christian scored the tying run on catcher Jeff Mathis' throwing error as the Yankees scored six unearned runs to pull out a wild 14-9 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Sunday afternoon.

The Yankees salvaged a split of their four-game series with the best team in the majors, overcoming deficits of 5-0 and 9-8. They took advantage of four errors - all after the sixth - and scored six times off Scot Shields and Darren Oliver.

New York already had capitalized on Angels center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. losing Derek Jeter's fly ball in the sun for a two-base error in the seventh. That allowed Xavier Nady to come through with a three-run home run for an 8-5 lead.

Nady tied a career high with four hits and had a career-best six RBI as it appeared like his blast was going to be the game-winning blast, especially when Edwar Ramirez was one strike away from stranding two in the eighth.

Instead Ramirez left a 1-0 changeup up in the strike zone for Mark Teixeira, who sent it over the right field wall for his first home run with the Angels and fourth career grand slam.

The Yankees faced the prospect of having to come back against Francisco Rodriguez if they were unable to score in the eighth, but that never happened as they pulled off their biggest comeback of the year.

Melky Cabrera scored the go-ahead run on third baseman Chone Figgins error, but might not have had the chance if the Yankees had not executed a double steal. The double steal intended to give Johnny Damon a shot at driving in a run from third base with just one out.

Instead, it tied the game as Christian had the bag stolen. He got up, looked to see where the ball was, bolted for the plate and tied the game at 9-9.

Christian entered the game on a 3-2 count as a pinch runner for Ivan Rodriguez and moved into scoring position when shortstop Erick Aybar misplayed Cabrera's grounder for an error.

"Anytime you can use your speed, you're definitely putting pressure on the defense because they have to react a lot quicker," Christian said. "This game's tough when you got to play fast. That's all I'm trying to do is create opportunities for the guys up at-bat.

"If I steal third there, that just creates an opportunity for him to drive him in."

Just one pitch after Aybar's miscue and, after Damon pulled back his bat on a bunt attempt, Mathis' throw deflected off Figgins' glove and into foul territory.

"You're stealing the base, but you're still aware of what's going on," Christian said. "As soon as you get the bag stolen, you're taking a peak to see where the ball is, to make sure it didn't kick in the outfield because you cannot afford to ruin an opportunity to score that run.

"If that ball kicks away even 15 feet, you have to be able to get it done and score."

That was only the start for the Yankees, who scored 10 unearned runs for first time since July 22, 1990 at Minnesota.

"We needed a win today and we went out and got one," New York manager Joe Girardi said.

Shields issued walks to Damon and Abreu, loading the bases and giving Alex Rodriguez a chance to get a big hit. Rodriguez, who earlier had struck out twice with men on base, appeared that he was going to hit into an inning-ending double play.

But Figgins bobbled the grounder, allowing Cabrera to score the go-ahead run and make it 10-9.

"I was ready for it to bounce up and it never did," said Figgins, who was charged with his third error.

Oliver replaced Shields and gave up a two-run single to Robinson Cano, who was out of the starting lineup due to a left hand injury. Nady followed with an RBI single that plated Rodriguez.

"I've been around the game for a long time, so I've seen wild games," Damon said. "But this one is definitely one of the most wildest games I've seen."

Despite allowing Teixeira's grand slam, Ramirez (3-0) was awarded the win. He was pitching in that spot because closer Mariano Rivera was unavailable due to back spasms.

The Yankees fell behind, 5-0, as starter Darrell Rasner allowed five runs and seven hits over four innings.

The Yankees scored their first run when Ivan Rodriguez homered in the fifth. They added three in the sixth as Nady had a two-run double and Wilson Betemit added a run-scoring groundout.

The four errors resulted in a record-tying 10 unearned runs allowed by the Angels, who also did it in Chicago on May 31, 1978. It also resulted in Anaheim's fourth loss in 16 games since the All-Star break and concluded an 8-3 road trip.

"Defense is an asset to the club and we just didn't get it done today," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "It was a poor game."

Angels starter John Lackey allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings.