Giancarlo Stanton hit a double that tied the game in the ninth inning, and Anthony Rizzo followed with a single to secure the New York Yankees’ 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.
The Yankees were struggling to score, with only two hits in the first eight innings. But they quickly turned things around in the bottom of the ninth inning against Tigers closer Jason Foley.
“When we still have chances, we still have hope,” Stanton said. Aaron Judge started the rally with a single, and then Alex Verdugo surprised everyone with a bunt single that moved Judge to second base.
Stanton, who had struck out in his previous three at-bats, hit a double to the opposite field, driving in Judge and advancing Verdugo to third.
It was Stanton’s first hit this season against a pitch that fast.
“You have to embrace those moments,” he said. Rizzo then hit a single past the diving second baseman, driving in Verdugo for New York’s first walk-off win of the year. Rizzo celebrated as his teammates mobbed him on the field.
“I think Judge getting on base set the tone,” Rizzo said. “I don’t know if that bunt was planned. It was a perfect bunt. Stanton came through with a huge hit.”
The Yankees had been struggling to score runs, but this win was a boost for them after losing three of four games to the Baltimore Orioles.
“It’s a big win,” Stanton said. “We just kept pushing, taking advantage of every opportunity we had, and we needed every bit of it.”
Foley, who grew up nearby on Long Island, had been successful in saving games, but the Yankees ended his streak. The Tigers have struggled at Yankee Stadium, losing nine of their last 10 games there since April 30, 2021.
