NEW YORK — The good news just kept coming for the New York Yankees, as both the return of Derek Jeter and Alfonso Soriano would help lead the Bronx Bombers to a 6-5 victory over the first place Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium.
Not only did they get the win and see a strong performance from one of their marquee players, but Soriano put together a good game to help secure the victory. Soriano, who recently returned home to the Yankees clubhouse, played an instrumental role in the Yankees’ victory, in both the front and back ends of the game.
In the third inning, he smacked a two-run homer over the fence in the third inning and a walk-off in the ninth. In both instances, Soriano’s bat work put his team in front. Soriano hadn’t made much of an impact with the Yankees since his return from the Chicago Cubs. He had failed to take advantage of eight at-bats in the previous two games, so the big hits were a welcome change for the Yankees’ left fielder. He ended the game going 4-for-5, including three RBIs, two runs scored and a home run.
To top off Soriano’s good strong offensive play and the Yankees’ good fortune, Jeter made his triumphant return with a home run and Ichiro Suzuki knocked in an RBI. New York will travel out west to Chavez Ravine and try to match bats with Yasiel Puig and the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.