The Yankees outfielder, a bench player on Opening Day, hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning and the Yankees defeated the Texas Rangers, 8-6, Thursday afternoon in New York.
Cabrera's home run was his fifth go-ahead hit in the eighth inning or later this season. After walking Robinson Cano, C.J. Wilson (3-3) gave an inside fastball to Cabrera, who turned on it and put the ball into the leftfield seats, just out of the reach of a leaping David Murphy.
It was the Yankees 19th come-from-behind victory this season.
Chien-Ming Wang made his first start since coming off the disabled list. The former ace began hot, striking out three of the first six batters he faced.
But then Wang ran into trouble.
Rangers first baseman Chris Davis doubled in the third inning and came around to score when Wang slipped on the mound and threw a wild pitch. The Rangers went on to score in the third, fourth and fifth innings.
Nelson Cruz hit a home run that knocked Wang out of the game. The home run was the first Wang gave up to righthander since Adrian Beltre took him deep in September 2007, a span of 22 starts.
The Yankees were able to battle back against Rangers starter Brandon McCarthy. Francisco Cervelli and Ramiro Pena singled to begin the fifth inning, and walks to Johnny Damon and Nick Swisher forced in a run. Mark Teixeira then hit a bases-clearing double to tie the game at five.
Alex Rodriguez followed with a single off of reliever Jason Jennings, giving the Yankees a short-lived 6-5 lead.
The Yankees bullpen pitch 4 1/3 innings, surrendering only one run on a Ian Kinsler home run. David Robertson (1-0) received the win after relieving Phil Coke in the eighth inning with two outs and nobody on. Robertson relieved Elvis Andrus on a fly ball.
Box Score:
Damon: 1-for-3, SOLO HR, 2 Rs
Swisher: 2-for-3, RBI, R
Gardner (PR): did not record an official at-bat
Teixeira: 2-for-4, 3 RBI, R
Rodriguez: 1-for-4, RBI
Cano: 1-for-3, R
Matsui: 0-for-3
Cabrera: 1-for-4, 2-RUN HR
Cervelli: 1-for-4, R
Pena: 1-for-3, R
Wang: 4 2/3 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K's (47 of his 69 pitches went for strikes, but by the fourth inning he was leaving the sinker up in the zone and got hit hard. A somewhat encouraging start.)
Aceves: 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB's, 2 K's (20 of his 34 pitches were strikes...the only relief pitcher to give up a run this game)
Coke: 1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K's (11 of his 19 pitches were strikes)
Robertson (W, 1-0): 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Rivera (S, 12): 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K's (17 of his 24 pitches were strikes)
My Thoughts:
1. Should Wang Have Started? I Don't Think So.
I'll have a longer post on this, but I don't think Wang should have started. The Yankees should not have brought him up so early, and they tried to make up for the mistake by starting him today. After the second inning, it looked like Wang may have tired a bit. Before that, he had good bite on all of his pitches. But then he started to leave the sinker up, and he got hit hard. Meanwhile, the Yankees had Phil Hughes waiting in the wings, who absolutely dominated the Rangers five days ago. I guess there was some progress, but I just don't think it was smart to throw him in today.
2. This Is The Teixeira The Yankees Paid For!
Since A-Rod returned to the lineup, Teixeira has been playing extremely well. Just last month, Tex hit .300 with 13 homers and 34 RBI, and he racked up 38 hits. I know lineup protection is debatable, but the return of A-Rod has been a godsend to Tex. He's showing why the Yankees threw all of that money at him in the offseason, and it's been welcoming to see him doing well.
3. Melky Does It Again.
And to think, Melky Cabrera began the season as the Yankees fifth outfield option. He's really returned to form, and clearly his hard work is paying off. One stat, however, to notice: all six of Melky's home runs have come at home. But when you need a clutch hit, just let Melky Cabrera know. He'll be there to deliver it.
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