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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 12:56 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Kurt Suzuki's 3-run HR upheld after replay, but Yankees win

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Oakland Athletics' Kurt Suzuki (8) celebrates with teammates Jack Cust (32) and Matt Holliday, (5) after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees.

FRANK FRANKLIN II | Associated Press

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NEW YORK — Umpires upheld a home run at Yankee Stadium for the second time in four days, giving Oakland's Kurt Suzuki a three-run drive in the second inning against New York.

Suzuki is a Baldwin High alum from Wailuku, Maui.

Suzuki's ball to left field Wednesday went about a foot above the left-field fence, well over the outstretched glove of Johnny Damon.

It did not appear that any fan interfered, but umpires nonetheless went inside for three minutes to review replays before affirming the initial home-run call.

On Sunday, umpires used the first video review of the season to rule pinch-hitter Jorge Posada's drive to right field was a homer. It was reminiscent of Derek Jeter's homer against Baltimore in the 1996 playoffs, a drive over right fielder Tony Tarasco aided by young fan Jeffrey Maier.

Melky Cabrera ended a home run-filled opening homestand at the new Yankee Stadium with a two-run drive in the 14th inning Wednesday to give New York a 9-7 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

The Yankees overcame another shaky outing from CC Sabathia on a rainy afternoon that featured five more home runs. But after Oakland tied the score in the seventh, what had been a $1.5 billion hitters' haven turned into a pitchers' park until Cabrera's drive off Dan Giese (0-2). Nick Swisher walked to start the inning.

Hideki Matsui and Cabrera hit consecutive homers in the second off Brett Anderson to start the comeback for New York, which opened 4-2 at its new ballpark after going 4,133-2,430-17 at the original Yankee Stadium. Derek Jeter also homered in the longest game of the season by innings and time (4 hours, 57 minutes).

A record 26 homers were hit on the opening homestand, one more than the previous mark for a major league venue established at Kansas City's Municipal Stadium in 1955, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Seventeen of the homers went to right field, raising suspicion that there might be a wind tunnel. Wind was from the southwest at 8-16 mph, according to Accuweather.com.

"It will take many more games to test and prove the wind theory," Accuweather.com said. "There is the tremendous human factor to be considered; pitching and batting skills of both the Yankees and visiting teams."