MLB PLAYER NEWS

Jeter opens final home series with three RBIs

The Sports Xchange

September 22, 2014 at 10:39 pm.

After going 1-for-17 on New York's seven-game trip and going hitless in 28 at-bats, Jeter is 9-for-21 with six RBIs in his final home stand. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK — Derek Jeter opened his final series at home by driving in three runs as the New York Yankees blanked the Baltimore Orioles 5-0 on Monday.

After going 1-for-17 on New York’s seven-game trip and going hitless in 28 at-bats, Jeter is 9-for-21 with six RBIs in his final homestand. He drove in three runs for the first time since Sept. 9, 2012, at Baltimore and did so at home for the first time since Aug. 1, 2012, also against the Orioles.

With virtually the entire crowd standing and flashbulbs going off from cameras, Jeter flied out to right field in the first and then hit a bouncer to shortstop J.J. Hardy that scored rookie designated hitter Jose Pirela in the third.

Two innings later, Jeter saw eight pitches and lined a full-count fastball from Baltimore left-hander Wei-Yin Chen (16-5) into left field for his 18th double.

Jeter’s productive night helped right-hander Michael Pineda (4-5) win for the first time in five starts since Aug. 25. Pineda retired the first 13 Orioles before giving up a single to Hardy, and that was the only baserunner he allowed until giving a one-out walk to Baltimore first baseman Christian Walker in the eighth.

Pirela made his major league debut and became the record-setting 57th player used by the Yankees this season. He had an RBI triple and scored on Jeter’s double.

Third baseman Chase Headley added a solo home run as the Yankees beat the Orioles for the fifth time in 16 meetings.

Royals 2, Indians 0

CLEVELAND — Danny Duffy pitched six scoreless innings, combining with three

relievers on a seven-hitter, as Kansas City beat Cleveland at Progressive Field.

With the win, Kansas City pulled to within one game of Detroit for first place in the

AL Central.

In his six innings of work, the left-hander Duffy (9-11) gave up six hits with five

strikeouts and two walks. It was Duffy’s first start since Sept. 6 due to a sore

shoulder that caused him to miss two starts. Right-hander Greg Holland pitched the ninth

inning to pick up his 44th save.

Pirates 1, Braves 0

ATLANTA — Pittsburgh left-hander Francisco Liriano made his first career appearance at Turner Field a memorable one, pitching six scoreless innings in a shutout win over Atlanta.

Liriano (7-10) allowed only three hits and walked four on the cool, windy evening. He struck out seven and helped the Pirates reduce their magic number to two games over the Milwaukee Brewers, who were idle.

Liriano got the only run he needed from center fielder Andrew McCutchen, who led off the sixth inning against Atlanta starter Aaron Harang with a line-drive homer, his 24th, into the left-center field bleachers.

The Pirates bullpen pitched three scoreless innings to close the game. Jared Hughes, John Holdzkom and Mark Melancon each worked one inning, with Melancon earning his 32nd save.

Blue Jays 14, Mariners 4

TORONTO — J.A. Happ pitched seven innings and Danny Valencia drove in three runs with a first-inning triple as Toronto defeated Seattle.

The Blue Jays had homers by Jose Bautista, Kevin Pillar and Anthony Gose in handing the Mariners their third loss in a row.

Happ (10-11) became the fifth Blue Jays starter to reach double digits in wins this season. It is the first time the Blue Jays have had five starters win at least 10 games in one season. It is the third time they have had five pitchers with at least 10 wins when relievers are included.

White Sox 2, Tigers 0

DETROIT — Chris Bassitt recorded his first major-league win and Tyler Flowers homered for the game’s only runs as Chicago silenced the American League Central Division-leading Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Bassitt (1-1) scattered six hits in 7 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out three. He had made three other starts, including a loss to Detroit on Aug. 30 in his major-league debut when he allowed five runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Jake Petricka recorded his 14th save for the White Sox (72-84), who have won eight of their last 12. Detroit left-hander Kyle Lobstein (1-1) suffered his first career loss despite limiting Chicago to two runs in seven innings and striking out five.