Pinch-hitter Jayson Nix hit a crucial bases-clearing double in the eighth inning that put the Yankees ahead for good as Joe Girardi’s club finished their seven-game road trip with a 5–2 win in Seattle Wednesday afternoon.
Ivan Nova started the game for New York and went five innings, allowing just two runs despite walking six batters. Girardi then used four relievers to shut down Seattle’s offense which, after getting a pair of one-out hits in the first inning, didn’t have another one until two outs were gone in the bottom of the ninth.
Derek Jeter got the Yankees on the board in the top of the first with a solo home run, his eighth of the season to give Nova a 1–0 lead. Nova though gave up two walks and two singles in the first as the Mariners took a 2–1 lead.
The next six innings saw the Yankees get just an infield single in seven trips to the plate with runners in scoring position as starter Hisashi Iwakuma, who went five innings, was able to get timely outs to keep New York at bay.
Finally in the eighth, after Jeter was hit by a pitch from reliever Josh Kinney to lead off, Cano singled Jeter to second before Mark Teixeira singled the bases loaded to bring up Curtis Granderson with no outs. Granderson fouled out though before Nix, who hit for Raul Ibanez, cleared the bases with a double in the gap.
Russell Martin eventually singled home Nix before Seattle finally got out of the inning.
Rafael Soriano closed the door in the ninth for his 26th save of the season.
New York returns to the Bronx now for a three-game series with Boston this weekend. Phil Hughes (9-8) will oppose Aaron Cook (2-3) Friday night in the opener.
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