Jeter Ties The Iron Horse As Yanks Win 8-4

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Tampa Bay	0	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	0		4	7	1
N.Y. Yankees	4	2	0	0	1	0	0	1	X		8	10	1

The Yankees won the game, a meaningless game, Carl Pavano pitched a OK until once again injuring himself in the 6th (He's not expected to miss his next start), and Mariano Rivera tied Lee Smith for second place on the all time saves list with save number 478. But today was really all about the Yankees captain, Derek Jeter.

He's been on of the only Yankees showing any pride these past few weeks and today was no different. Jeter went 3-for-4 to tie The Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig for the all time lead in hits at Yankee Stadium with hit number 1269. He tied the record on a solo homer off Rays' phenom David Price in the 5th. A typical Jeterian (I hate that word) blast to the opposite field that just crept over the wall in right-center. In his first at-bat he picked up a bunt single, an inning later he doubled for his second hit of the day. He came into this homestand needing 9 hits to tie the record, and he picked up those nine in the first three games. Expect him to break the record tomorrow.

When you consider the players that have called Yankee Stadium home, and think that Jeter is on top of the list for hits in that great place, it's quite an achievement. Congrats to the captain!

A-Rod got the Yankees offense going with a grand slam homer in the 1st. They added two more in the second on a Jason Giambi blast into the upper deck and rolled from there.

Pavano pitched OK, going 5.1, and allowing 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 3. He left the game with a cramp in his ovaries hip, but should be fine for his next start.

What else?

For the most part the bullpen did its job.

Brett Gardner made two very nice plays in center, and continues to show that he has a ton of range out there - if only he could hit.

Wilson Betemit drove in the Yankees 8th run with a RBI single in the 8th.

The Yankees won the season series with the Rays by wining 11 of the 18 games.

And I should mention one more time that Mariano Rivera picked up his 35th save of the season, his 479th of his career, tying Lee Smith for 2nd on the all time saves list. Congrats Mo!

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Damon, LF	4	1	2	0	0	0	0	.306
Jeter, SS	4	3	3	1	0	0	1	.306
Giambi, 1B	3	2	1	2	1	1	0	.248
Cabrera, RF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.242
Rodriguez, A, DH	4	2	2	4	0	2	0	.307
Nady, RF-1B	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	.313
Cano, 2B	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.260
Betemit, 3B	2	0	1	1	0	1	0	.260
Rodriguez, I, C	4	0	1	0	0	1	1	.278
Ransom, 3B-2B	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	.421
Gardner, CF	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	.165
Totals	33	8	10	8	1	5	5
BATTING 2B: Rodriguez, I (20, Jackson), Jeter (25, Jackson), Rodriguez, A (33, Price). HR: Rodriguez, A (34, 1st inning off Jackson, 3 on, 0 out), Giambi (30, 2nd inning off Jackson, 1 on, 2 out), Jeter (11, 5th inning off Price, 0 on, 0 out). TB: Damon 2; Jeter 7; Giambi 4; Rodriguez, A 6; Betemit; Rodriguez, I 2. RBI: Rodriguez, A 4 (100), Giambi 2 (92), Jeter (68), Betemit (23). 2-out RBI: Giambi 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Ransom; Gardner. GIDP: Jeter; Rodriguez, I. Team LOB: 2.

RAYS OFFENSE

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Pavano (W, 3-1)	5.1	5	4	3	2	3	1	5.26
Ramirez	0.1	1	0	0	1	0	0	4.05
Marte (H, 24)	1.1	0	0	0	2	1	0	3.98
Bruney (H, 9)	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2.10
Veras	0.2	1	0	0	1	1	0	3.54
Rivera (S, 35)	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1.54

RAYS PITCHING

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Derek Jeter (3-for-4, HR, 2B, RBI, 3 R) - - - The new all time Yankees Stadium hits leader.

HONORABLE MENTION: Alex Rodriguez (2-for-4, HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R)

Now the White Sox come to town for a three game series starting tomorrow. Alfredo Aceves makes his second big league start, and he will face the White Sox Mark Buehrle. First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. - TV: YES - Radio: WCBS 880