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 Four-and-a-half hours later, Headley was getting mobbed by the
rest of the New York Yankees for getting the game-winning single
with one out in the bottom of the 14th inning of a 2-1 victory over
the Texas Rangers.
With runners at first and third in the 14th, Headley singled into
left field against Nick Tepesch (3-6). Yankees second baseman Brian
Roberts easily scored, ending the 4-hour, 51-minute marathon and New
York's third walk-off win of the season.
It was Headley's fourth career walk-off hit and first since a
10th-inning home run against Pittsburgh on Aug. 21, 2012. According
to the Elias Sports Bureau, the switch-hitting third baseman also
was the first Yankee to get a walk-off hit in his debut with the
team since Roy Weatherley on April 22, 1943, against the Washington
Senators.
"There's a lot of nerves there," Headley said. "I kind of stepped
out of the box and just thought to myself 'why not, why wouldn't
this day go this way. What a great way to start. I was excited, I
was able to enjoy it."
"It's a huge hit for us," New York manager Joe Girardi said.
Headley found out about being traded from the San Diego Padres when
he got a phone call from the Yankees at about 11:30 Central Time.
"I wasn't expecting to play," Headley said. "I got to get used to
this American League thing. In the National League there are no days
off even if you don't start, you have to be ready to go. I got hot
about six or seven times down there (in the batting cage). I wasn't
expecting to play but I had the opportunity to contribute I wanted
to."
"I'm sure it feels good to get that Gatorade shower," New York
reliever Jeff Francis said. "To have everybody high-fiving him and
to come into a team and contribute right away, it's great."
Headley's first three at-bats could have potentially given the
Yankees the victory.
He entered with the bases empty and two outs in the eighth as a
pinch hitter for rookie Zelous Wheeler and struck out against Shawn
Tolleson. In the 11th, he grounded out to first base against Roman
Mendez and in the 12th against left-hander Scott Baker, Headley left
the bases loaded by grounding out to second base.
The Yankees won for the 10th time in 16 games and did so after
wasting chances in the ninth, 11th and 12th.
They also overcame first baseman J.P Arencibia's leadoff home run in
the 13th by getting a game-tying single against Texas closer Joakim
Soria from center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.
That came three innings before catcher Francisco Cervelli hit a hard
liner to third baseman Adrian Beltre for the second out of the 12th
preceding Headley's third at-bat.
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Francis (1-1) pitched a perfect 14th in his Yankees debut. Seven New
York relievers combined to allow a run in eight innings after
starter Chase Whitley gave up seven hits in six-plus scoreless
innings and the Yankees improved to 29-18 in games started by
rookies.
Texas starter Nick Martinez threw 5 1/3 shutout innings and six
relievers combined on 6 2/3 scoreless innings before Soria blew his
second save.
"We didn't give in," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "We didn't
give up. They won the ballgame. We could have very easily won it too
but they had the last at-bat and they put something together and
they won."
The Rangers lost for the 11th time in 13 games and fell to 6-24 in
their last 30 games. They had the leadoff man in five innings before
Arencibia's home run, went 0-for-15 after getting the leadoff man on
while stranding eight.
"That was painful, especially when you play forever," Texas
shortstop Elvis Andrus said. "We got that game a couple of times but
they were like us. They didn't give up until the last second."
NOTES: Yankees GM Brian Cashman estimated that talks with San Diego
for 3B Chase Headley began about three weeks ago. He said that
Headley would be New York's everyday third baseman. New York sent
INF Yangervis Solarte and RHP Rafael De Paula to San Diego. ... The
Yankees have used 14 different players at third base since the start
of last season. ... The Rangers placed C Geovany Soto on the 15-day
disabled list with tightness in his right groin that will require an
MRI on Friday in Texas. Texas filled the roster spot by activating
RHP Nick Martinez from the DL to start Tuesday. He missed three
weeks due to left rib cage discomfort. ... Texas 3B Adrian Beltre
and Yankees OF Brett Gardner are eligible for the national Heart and
Hustle Award, which will be handed out by the Major League Baseball
Players Alumni Association in November.
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