Yankees Play Small Ball; Win Big

With all the big name sluggers in their lineup, one would think the Yankees would be more contempt to slug it out in a home run derby, rather than along the base paths. But it was basic baseball fundamentals that won the game for them this afternoon.

Trailing 3-1 with one out in the eighth inning, Johnny Damon lined a single to left field off Tampa Bay reliever Grant Balfour, which started the Yankees' small ball rally. Mark Texeira then singled to deep right field, advancing Damon to third. Two straight walks to Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano, forced home a run.

Jorge Posada was up next and he followed suit by hitting a dribbler down the third base line that Tampa Bay third baseman, Willy Aybar, could not handle. That enabled Texeira to score the tying run. Aybar, subbing at third base for Evan Longoria, was charged with an error. Hideki Matsui followed with a grounder to second that scored Rodriguez and put the Yankees up 4-3.

Mariano Rivera came on in the ninth inning to try to notch his thirteenth save of the season. With two outs and nobody on base, Rivera faced Longoria for the second straight game. Yesterday, Rivera faced Longoria and said he could get him out, but Yankee manager Joe Girardi wanted to intentionally walk him. That walk started a Tampa Bay rally and led to a rare loss for Rivera. This time it was different as Rivera got Longoria to ground out to second, where Cano made an easy throw to first to get him out and end the game.

"You can't come to a game angry or with too much venom. Then you are not in control of what you are doing," Rivera said. "I have to control myself before I can go out and pitch. Yesterday is over. What can I do?"

"I guess Mo was right," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

From the couch...The Yankees have won seven of their last 10 games. This game was their 20th come from behind victory this season...Nick Swisher hit the 100th home run in the 28th game at Yankee Stadium...Mariano Rivera got his 495th career save and Joe Girardi won his 200th game as a manager. He is 200-183 over three seasons...Former vice-presidential candidate and self proclaimed "maverick" Sarah Palin was in attendance.

Photo: Jorge Posada (20) congratulates closer Mariano Rivera after the final out in their 4-3 victory

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens) (ESPN.com)