Matsui's Walk off Home Run Lifts the Yankees Over the Orioles

Sports Betting News - July 21st, 2009 - Written by Bruce

Hideki Matsui came up big on Monday night hitting a walk off home run giving the New York Yankees a 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. With one out in the bottom of the 9th inning Matsui smashed a 2-2 pitch over the right field wall ending the game in dramatic fashion. His Yankee teammates mobbed him at home plate after Matsui's second career walk off homer. After the game Yankees pitcher AJ Burnett got Matsui with a whip creamed pie in the face celebrating the victory. Andy Pettite pitched a great game for New York as he pitched all the way into the 8th inning giving up only one run before getting pulled. The win pulled the Yankees into a tie with the Boston Red Sox for the AL East Division lead.

The Yankees are now 4-0 since the All Star Break and amazingly have won their last three games all by a score of 2-1. They have been one of the hottest teams in the league for the last month or so and if Matsui can continue his form of late they will be tough to slow down. Matsui had knee surgery last year and has struggled some in his recovery during much of this season. He missed nine straight games towards the end of June but has been on a tear since his return. He is hitting .349 with five home runs in 43 at bats. For the season Matsui is now hitting .264 with 15 home runs. He has been a big part of their lineup in recent years and the Yankees are hoping Matsui will continue to stay hot at the plate as the season progresses.

Baltimore is has now lost their last eight games at Yankee Stadium and dropped to 14 games back in the division at 41-51. With last night's win the Yankees improved to a season's best 18 games over .500 and are now at 55-37. New York is now tied for the division lead and they show no signs of slowing down as they have played excellent of late. Following Phil Coke relieving Andy Pettite in the 8th inning, the Yankees incredibly got back to back runners out at home plate. Yankees catcher Jose Molina was involved in both stellar plays which were very instrumental in them ultimately winning the game.