Yankees+vs.+Baltimore

Last night at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees did something they've done only four times this season and fewer than 250 times in their storied history.

In the first inning, David Hernandez, the 24-year-old right-hander from Baltimore, loaded the bases before Robinson Cano lined out to left-center field, dashing the Yankees' hopes for a first-round knock-out.

Ironically, the game turned into a pitchers' duel. In the eighth, with Baltimore threatening to break the 1-1 tie, the Yankees defense proved resilient, coming up with two big outs, both at home plate.

Yankee manager Joe Girardi likes how his team's been playing.

SOT: Tex's throw to home plate late in the game shows his value to our team. Even when he's not hitting, Mark makes contributions to the team.

The fans agree.

SOT: I have to get up early tomorrow, and I was just hoping it wouldn't go into extra innings. But I stayed 'cuz I know these Yankees. They don't give up.

Fortunately for this fan, in the bottom of the ninth with one out against them, the Yankees' Hideki Matsui hit a walk-off home run, only the fourth of the '09 season for The Bombers.

Tomorrow night, the Yankees will look to improve their 4-game winning streak when they send newcomer Sergio Mitre to the mound against Baltimore's Rich Hill.

At Yankee Stadium... this is Jonathan Hilpert.

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