Derek Jeter hit a solo homer in the fifth inning Sunday.
Derek Jeter hit a solo homer in the fifth inning Sunday. Tying Lou Gehrig for the most career hits at Yankee Stadium.
Jeter connected against Tampa Bay’s David Price for his 1,269th hit at the ballpark, which is in its final season.
The crowd roared as the New York captain rounded the bases after his opposite-field drive to right, and cheered even louder when he came out of the dugout for a curtain call.
The fans continued to chant the shortstop’s name as Jason Giambi batted against Price, a highly touted prospect making his major league debut.
Jeter also singled in the first and doubled in the second against Edwin Jackson, leading the Yankees to an 8-4 victory. He had a chance to break the record in the seventh but grounded into a double play.
“You think about the history of this organization, when you mention players’ names, I mean Lou Gehrig’s is right up there at the top,” said Jeter, who went 9-for-11 in the weekend series. “To be tied with him with anything is something that I’ll always remember.”
New York is playing its last homestand at Yankee Stadium before moving into a new park across the street for next season.
Price, the top overall pick in the 2007 draft, replaced Jackson before the third inning and retired the first six batters he faced.
The 6-foot-6 left-hander registered 96 mph on the scoreboard with his first four pitches and touched 97 with his fifth offering.
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Thigpen congratulates Rodriguez for save record.
Former White Sox reliever Bobby Thigpen was quick to congratulate the man who broke his saves record, sending a note Sunday to Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez.
Rodriguez earned his 58th save this season when he finished out Los Angeles’ 5-2 win over Seattle on Saturday night. Thigpen posted 57 saves for Chicago in 1990.
“Only a handful of major league relievers understand what it takes to reach the 50-save mark,” Thigpen wrote. “Your record-setting season is an accomplishment you should treasure this year for and for years into the future. I am certain your record for saves will stand for many, many seasons to come.”
Thigpen, who now manages the White Sox’s rookie league affiliate in Bristol, Va., wrote that Dave Righetti sent him a congratulatory note after breaking the record the former Yankees reliever set.
“I wanted to continue that tradition with a note of my own to you,” Thigpen wrote.”
He closed the letter, which the White Sox distributed to the media, by writing, “I wish you continued success this season and with your outstanding career.”