Alex Makes Sox Pay-Rod: Blast In 15th Gives Yanks Win! | Mike Gwizdala's Blog

Drought is not a word any New Yorker would use to describe this Summer. And Alex Rodriguez after a prolonged homer-less streak of his own, made it rain once again in the Bronx. Sure there have been other walk off wins at the "new house" this season, but this 15 inning affair flanked by absolute brilliance and dominance on the mound in the heat of a pennant race, has to top them all thus far.

In what was an epic marathon and pitchers duel, it all started oddly enough with a lead off single by Jacoby Ellsbury. There wouldn't be many hits to follow off of that for quite a long while.

Duck hunting season was on as both squads stranded 40 combined on the pond. That first inning saw Ellsbury get to third with two outs and it was the closest Boston would come to home plate all night.

Both former Florida Marlins teammates Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett were sharp and equal to the task. Beckett went seven strong, striking out seven while only allowing four hits along the way. Burnett went 7 2/3 with six whiffs with Ellsbury's lead off single his only hit rendered.

Both bullpens were up to the task as well, sending the longest scoreless affair between these two clubs into the 15th. Each team barely missed some golden opportunities in the 14th, with Victor Martinez sending a towering blast to the track in right, hauled in by Eric Hinske. Then it was J.D. Drew returning the favor by going full extension robbing Hinske with two runners on.

However when it came to the 15th the Yanks were primed to make sure Boston wouldn't gain any ground once this weekend's quartet of games is over. Derek Jeter after an oh-fer six Friday night was thrilled to see the clock past mid-night and led off the inning with a single. Finally it was A-Rod and his 72 straight homer-less at-bats with two outs and Jeter on, crushing a Junichi Tazawa offering deep into the Sox pen, ensuring the Yanks fifth victory in a row, while sending the BoSox to their fourth straight loss.

So the Yankees now have the best record in the bigs at 67-42 and they and their MLB best home record of 37-17 are now 4 1/2 games up on the Red Sox, whose road record drops to 27-29. Additionally with the 2-0 win the Bombers have beaten the BoSox two in a row after the All-Star break.

Oh when the ball hits the sky and A.J. creams you with a pie, that's a walk off!