New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner continues his amazingly ridiculous stretch of clutch ball with a walk-off against the Tampa Bay Rays.
- New York Yankees 6 (54-46)
- Tampa Bay Rays 5 (53-50)
- AL, Final, 11, Box Score
- Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
This one wasn’t just one in a line that has completely lifted Brett Gardner’s clutch game to new heights. It was the one that saw That Chick call …
Come at me pic.twitter.com/AcLwyuN3qK
— Allison Case (@ThatNYYChick) July 28, 2017
That’s right. ESNY’s own Allison Case, a self-admitted groupie of the Gardy Party crew, called her shot prior to No. 11 stepping up to the plate in the bottom of the 11th at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night.
This is why Joe Girardi has always LOVED Brett Gardner. He's a GAMER. Another walk-off shot by Gardy. #Yankees win.
Posted by Elite Sports NY on Thursday, July 27, 2017
With this, his third career walk-off home run and second against this specific team, his New York Yankees celebrated the 6-5 extra-innings victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Many a huge hit has Gardy piled up in 2017. Of course, there was the top of the ninth pulled shot in Wrigley Field that secured a huge road victory earlier this season, but for one of the veterans among a bright-eyed group of Pinstripes, his clutch gene has been rather remarkable thus far through 2017.
The Yankees even capitalized on his leadoff triple in the top of the ninth. It ultimately led to Gary Sanchez singling him home to tie the game and force extras.
Oh, and yeah, speaking of Sanchez. Earlier in the contest, he hit this moon shot of Chris Archer:
Kraken power. ??? https://t.co/LFikW0ZRix pic.twitter.com/j4uk18fQpm
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 28, 2017
CC Sabathia received the start in this one and struggled to the tune of four runs on five hits over 4.1 innings of work. But the bullpen, who combined for one run ball over 6.2 innings, and the bats, 14 hits in total, made sure this New York baseball club remained hot.
Chase Headley led the lineup with three hits and four other Yanks collected two (Gardner, Sanchez, Didi Gregorius and Todd Frazier). Aroldis Chapman picks up the savior award as he pitched two full innings, allowing Joe Girardi a little breathing room just as he was running out of arms.
Should Gardy’s unprecedented clutch gene remain fully intact through September and into October, this club could be onto something special.
Next up will be these very same Rays at Yankee Stadium on Friday night. First pitch comes your way at 7:05 p.m. ET.