Jeter, Yankees come back to beat Oakland 7-5

[July 27, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Derek Jeter hit a go-ahead single, Mariano Rivera earned a four-out save and the New York Yankees capped a stellar homestand with a 7-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.

Robinson Cano had an early three-run double and the Yankees got a strong effort from the bullpen, increasing their AL East lead to 2 1/2 games over Boston, which lost 6-2 at home to Baltimore.

New York bolted from the All-Star break with a 9-1 homestand that included seven games against last-place teams (Baltimore and Oakland) and three vs. AL Central-leading Detroit.

After winning for the 22nd time in 28 games, the Yankees hit the road for 19 of their next 26.

Phil Hughes provided more spotless relief -- with help from Brian Bruney and Rivera. Brought in to protect a two-run lead in the seventh, Hughes struck out three of his first four batters before running into trouble in the eighth.

The right-hander issued a one-out walk before Daric Barton's double put runners on second and third, chasing Hughes.

Bruney, who has often struggled since returning from the disabled list, struck out Mark Ellis. Yankees manager Joe Girardi then went to Rivera, who retired pinch-hitter Nomar Garciaparra on a comebacker.

That preserved Hughes' scoreless streak, up to 23 1-3 innings. He has not allowed a run in his past 16 appearances.

Rivera fanned two in a perfect ninth, converting his 25th consecutive save and 29th in 30 chances this season. It was No. 511 of his career.

Phil Coke (2-3) got the win even though he gave up a go-ahead homer in the sixth to Ellis, who drove in three runs.

Oakland starter Dallas Braden (7-9) was done in by a career-high six walks. He allowed seven runs and 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings.

New York was clinging to a 4-3 lead in the sixth when Barton beat out a potential double-play ball, extending the inning. Coke then threw a low breaking ball that Ellis pulled into the left-field seats for his fourth homer, putting Oakland ahead.

The lead didn't last long.

Melky Cabrera drew a one-out walk in the bottom half, Cody Ransom hit his second double of the game and Jeter punched a two-run single to center.

Braden picked off Jeter at first, but Johnny Damon doubled and scored on Mark Teixeira's single to make it 7-5 Yankees.

Oakland took a 2-0 lead in the first on Scott Hairston's RBI double and Kurt Suzuki's run-scoring single. Uncharacteristically, Braden gave it right back and then some in the bottom half.

Hideki Matsui singled home a run with two outs and Cano hit a bases-loaded liner to right-center that dropped just in front of diving center fielder Eric Patterson. The ball skipped past Patterson, allowing three runs to score.

Braden had allowed only two earned runs in the first inning all year.

Ellis' sacrifice fly cut it to 4-3 in the fourth. With runners at the corners after a throwing error by starter Sergio Mitre, Jeter and Cano turned a difficult double play to end the inning.

Mitre was pulled after Suzuki's leadoff single in the sixth. Called up from the minors to replace injured Chien-Ming Wang in the rotation, Mitre beat Baltimore 6-4 on Tuesday night for his first major league win since July 29, 2007, with Florida.

The right-hander, who served a 50-game drug suspension this season, was charged with four runs and nine hits. He was helped by three double-play grounders.

Wang (strained right shoulder) is scheduled to see orthopedist Dr. James Andrews early this week.

NOTES: Injured A's starter Justin Duchscherer, a two-time All-Star recovering from March elbow surgery, was slated to make a minor league rehab appearance for Class-A Stockton. He will be limited to 30 pitches over two innings, manager Bob Geren said. ... Slumping 3B Alex Rodriguez was rested, part of his regular program following March hip surgery. Ransom started at third. ... The Yankees are 14-1 in Coke's last 15 games. ... It was New York's 32nd comeback win.

Associated Press; By MIKE FITZPATRICK]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.