Meadows' 11th-inning homer led the Rays./CHUCK MULLER
Sunday, 4 a.m.
He isn't just a piece anymore. He isn't just a talented backup singer. He isn't a complementary player.
These days, you could argue that Austin Meadows is the best Tampa Bay Ray of them all.
Granted, he has just turned 24 years old. Yes, he has played in only 86 games. Already, however, Meadows has shown that he has the flair to help to lead this team.
Saturday, it was Meadows' 11th-inning home run that lifted Tampa Bay to a 2-1, 11-inning victory over the New York Yankees, a game that reclaimed first place in the AL East. Meadows, hitting .247, launched a one-out homer 397 feet to give the Rays their first extra-inning win of the year.
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Alvarado bounced back to close out the win./STEVEN MUNCIE
To seal the win, the Rays once again sent Jose Alvarado to the mound in the 11th, only hours after his Saturday night meltdown blew the save for the Rays. This time, Alvarado nailed down the victory for his fifth save of the season.
"Those are high-stress pitches," Rays' manger Kevin Cash said. "We checked with him. He felt good. He wanted to pitch. He wanted the ball. We wanted him out there.
“Our young pitchers are still maturing and progressing and making adjustments. We have nore work to do. But a hiccup like last night is not going to derail any of them mentally."
Still, Alvarado likely made some fans nervous when he gave up a leadoff single to Luke Voit. However, there was no further threat.
"He’s nasty," starting pitcher Blake Snell said. "It’s going to happen (bad outings). He’s that good. He came back the way I thought he would. He did what he’s supposed to do.”
It was enough, thanks to solo homers by Branden Lowe and Meadows. The Yankees had taken a 1-0 lead in third when Brett Garner scored on a wild pitch. The Yankees did not score in their last eight at-bats.
Snell struck out nine over six innings.
Meadows' day wasn't just about offense. He ended the sixth inning by throwing Aaron Hicks out at home.
“It was a big throw," Cash said. "I totally understand (the Yankees sending him).. They’re doing everything they can to separate the game. It looked like it had to be on the money, and he put it on them."
The Rays try to win the series today in a 1:05 p.m. game at Yankee Stadium. Charlie Morton will pitch for the Rays, while the Yankees will. use Chad Greene as an opener.
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