Game 145 - Gardner Beats Angels at Their Own Game

After Phil Hughes allowed the Angels to tie the game in the top of the 8th, it was Brett Gardner who helped the Yanks to avoid finding a way to lose, yet again, to their nemesis. In the bottom of the frame, Gardner pinch ran for Mark Teixeira at 2B, stole third and came home on catcher Mike Napoli's throwing error. ARod, who also stole second on the play, went to third and scored on a Robinson Cano single to make the score 5-3. Mariano Rivera came on the 9th to record his 40th save, the 7th time in his career he's reached that mark.

Tex paced the Bomber offense with 3 hits and 2 RBIs. Nick Swisher had a rare Yankee Stadium HR and Joba Chamberlain pitched well in his abbreviated stint. Joba went 4 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 run on a Vlad Guerrero dinger. He didn't walk a batter while striking out 2.

This was a makeup game for an early season rainout. The Yanks have won a number of games this season on their way to the playoffs, but have struggled mightily against the Angels since the Joe Torre era began in 1996. Joe Girardi also had a losing record against the Angels last season. The Yanks were swept in Anaheim in a 3-game set right before the All Star break.

Yankees Record: 93-52