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Associated Press

Posted on: Saturday, June 13, 2009

Yankees win on blooper blunder

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Alex Rodriguez, middle, celebrates the Yankees' 9-8 win over the Mets. The Yankees scored the tying and winning runs when A-Rod's pop up was dropped in the ninth.

FRANK FRANKLIN II | Associated Press

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NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez slammed his bat and then threw it. The first Subway Series game at new Yankee Stadium was over.

And then it wasn't.

Second baseman Luis Castillo dropped A-Rod's two-out popup in the ninth inning as Derek Jeter scored from second and Mark Teixeira from first, giving the Yankees a wild 9-8 victory over the Mets last night.

"As soon as I slid in, I hugged Jete and I said, 'What just happened?' because I couldn't believe it," Teixeira said.

David Wright had put the Mets ahead 8-7 with an eighth-inning double off Mariano Rivera (1-2), and Francisco Rodriguez (1-1) appeared to escape a ninth-inning jam on the popup by A-Rod, just 1 for 17 in his career off K-Rod, including the postseason.

But Castillo kept drifting toward the foul line and allowed the ball to pop out of his glove as he tried for a one-handed catch on the right field grass. The Yankees ran onto the field to celebrate.

A few minutes later, Castillo sat alone in the visitor's clubhouse, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees, his head resting on his hands. His eyes were reddening.

A three-time Gold Glove winner, Castillo called it a "routine fly ball."

"I feel bad. I feel so bad," he said following his fifth error of the season. "The ball was moving a little bit."

Jeter had singled with one out and stole second as pinch-hitter Johnny Damon struck out on the ninth pitch. Teixeira was intentionally walked and Alex Rodriguez got ahead 3-0 before taking a strike and then popping up.

Teixeira focused on third base coach Rob Thomson and ran hard from first the entire way. He easily beat shortstop Alex Cora's relay from Castillo.

"When he started waving me, I, you know, put it into second gear," Teixeira said. "I don't have a third, fourth and fifth."

RANGERS 6, DODGERS 0

Vicente Padilla worked five innings, Hank Blalock homered and Texas recorded shutouts on consecutive nights at home for the first time in 29 seasons. Texas beat Toronto, 1-0, Thursday night. Padilla (5-3) threw 108 pitches before Jason Jennings went three innings and Jason Grilli pitched the ninth to close out Texas' fifth shutout of the season.

MARLINS 7, BLUE JAYS 3

Cody Ross hit a tiebreaking grand slam and Chris Coghlan had a career-high four hits for visiting Florida. Ross' third grand slam of the season and fifth of his career came off Saint Louis School alum Brandon League (1-3). Toronto right-hander Roy Halladay left after three innings because of a sore groin.

TWINS 7, CUBS 4

Joe Mauer homered and drove in three runs for visiting Minnesota and Kevin Slowey became the majors' second nine-game winner. Slowey (9-2) allowed three runs on four hits over six innings, striking out 10 and walking one.

ANGELS 11, PADRES 6

Torii Hunter and Kendry Morales homered, Maicer Izturis tied a career high with four hits, and host Los Angeles beat San Diego. Bobby Abreu had three RBI singles in support of right-hander Matt Palmer (6-0), who allowed four runs — three earned — and 10 hits over six innings in his first start since May 30.

RAYS 4, NATIONALS 3

One pitch after an error prolonged his at-bat in the eighth, Gabe Kapler hit a pinch-hit home run for host Tampa Bay. Kapler, mired in a 3-for-31 slump, went deep against Ron Villone (3-2) after first baseman Nick Johnson dropped a pop foul that would have been the third out.

INDIANS 7, CARDINALS 3

Shin-Soo Choo drove in three runs for host Cleveland to help rookie David Huff get his second big league win. Huff (2-2), making his sixth major league start, gave up a leadoff homer to Albert Pujols in the fourth and left with one out in the eighth after allowing three runs.

RED SOX 5, PHILLIES 2

Jacoby Ellsbury hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the 13th inning and visiting Boston won an interleague matchup between division leaders. Ryan Howard's solo homer off fill-in Red Sox closer Ramon Ramirez with one out in the ninth tied it.

TIGERS 3, PIRATES 1

Rick Porcello threw seven crisp innings and had a pair of RBI singles for his first major league hits in visiting Detroit's victory. Porcello (7-4) allowed one run and six hits. Placido Polanco went 4 for 4 for Detroit, which has won six of eight.

BREWERS 7, WHITE SOX 2

Corey Hart drove in three runs on a double and a triple and saved two more with a diving catch for host Milwaukee. Hart made a diving catch of Chris Getz's liner to end the top of the sixth inning instead of pushing Chicago's lead to 4-0.

BRAVES 7, ORIOLES 2

Brian McCann tied a career high with four hits and Tommy Hanson recorded his first major league victory for visiting Atlanta. Hanson (1-0) limited the Orioles to two runs despite yielding nine hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings.

GIANTS 3, ATHLETICS 0

Tim Lincecum pitched a seven-hitter for his third career complete game and first this season, and host San Francisco beat Oakland. Lincecum (6-1), the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner who also drove in his third run of the year, struck out eight and walked one.

ROCKIES 6, MARINERS 4

Ubaldo Jimenez pitched the second complete game of his career and had an RBI single as host Colorado extended its winning streak to nine. Jimenez (5-6) allowed four runs and eight hits, and struck out three.

ROYALS 4, REDS 1

Luke Hochevar tossed a three-hitter in his first career complete game and Alberto Callapso hit a two-run homer for host Kansas City. Hochevar (3-2) needed just 80 pitches for his second straight solid outing.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

DIAMONDBACKS 8, ASTROS 1

Dan Haren pitched his fifth career two-hitter, and Mark Reynolds drove in five runs with a homer and three doubles for host Arizona. Haren (5-4) struck out seven and walked two.