Game 162 - ARod Reaches Milestones on 2 Swings

The Yankees starters were in the lineup, but it appeared they were sleep walking towards the playoffs yet again, before lightning struck in the 6th inning. Trailing 2-0, the Yanks plated a huge 10-spot in the inning. With 2 swings of the bat, ARod knocked in 7 of those runs with a 3-run shot and a grand slam.

Coming into the game, ARod was sitting on 28 HRs and 93 RBIs with no shot at extending his 30 homer, 100 RBI streak. But this is why baseball fans love the game - you're always going to see something that you have never seen before. With ARod's 6th inning heroics, he reached 30 HRs and 100 RBIs for the 13th straight season and set an AL record with 7 RBIs in one inning. His second HR also tied him with Mark McGwire with 583 career blasts.

AJ Burnett pitched 5 innings in a playoff tuneup. It was his 100th career win, as he finished the year 13-9. He is slated to go in Game 2 of the playoffs. The Yankee bullpen pitched 4 hitless innings and struck out 5 to wrap up their 103 victory of the season.

Johnny Damon finally broke out of his snide, going 2-4 with 2 doubles and just barely missing his 25th HR of the season. Mark Teixeira finished tied with Carlos Pena for the AL HR title with 39. He was intentionally walked before ARod's slam in the 6th. Tex did win the RBI title with 122, as he proved his signing as a free agent was money well spent.

The Yanks will have to wait to see who they play in the ALDS, with the Tigers and Twins playing a 1-game playoff after having the same record after 162 games.

Yankees Final Regular Season Record: 103-59