Yankees' Melky Cabrera (top) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the 14th inning to win against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday in New York.
NEW YORK – Melky Cabrera turned on a fastball and sent it soaring into the right-field stands, down an entryway in the bleachers that sparked remaining fans to sprint for the sought-after souvenir.
After all the homers at the new Yankee Stadium over the past week, the first homestand in the $1.5 billion ballpark just had to end with a home run. And not just any homer, but the first game-ending shot in the stadium’s brief history.
Cabrera’s 14th-inning drive, the fifth home run of the game, concluded a 4-hour, 57-minute marathon Wednesday, a 9-7 Yankees win over the Oakland Athletics. It was the 26th home run at the stadium, one more than the previous record for the first six games at a major league venue. That had been established at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium in 1955, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
“I understand everybody’s making a big deal out of home runs,” Yankees captain Derek Jeter said. “Melky’s ball would have been out of anywhere. It’s not like there’s cheap home runs being hit.”
The switch-hitting Cabrera connected from both sides of the plate, also homering in the second inning while batting right-handed against Brett Anderson after a drive by Hideki Matsui.
New York’s latest outburst obscured a shaky outing by CC Sabathia, 1-1 with a 4.81 ERA in four starts since signing a $161 million, seven-year contract to join the Yankees as a free agent.
Other AL games
Red Sox 10, Twins 1, 7 innings, 1st game; Red Sox 7, Twins 3, 2nd game: In Boston, Brad Penny pitched six solid innings after Tim Wakefield won a rain-shortened complete game, and Boston Red Sox swept a doubleheader.
Royals 2, Indians 0: In Cleveland, Brian Bannister and two relievers outpitched reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee, and Kansas City beat the Indians.
White Sox 8, Orioles 2: In Baltimore, Jim Thome hit his 545th career homer to back a superb pitching performance by John Danks.
Blue Jays 8, Rangers 7, 11 innings: In Toronto, Kevin Millar singled home the winning run in the 11th inning over a drawn-in outfield for the Blue Jays. Vernon Wells walked to begin the 11th and went to second on Travis Snider’s sacrifice. Scott Rolen was walked intentionally and C.J. Wilson (0-2) was replaced by right-hander Darren O’Day, who was claimed on waivers from the New York Mets earlier in the day and arrived in Toronto at 9:45 p.m.
Brother act a big hit for Pirates
PITTSBURGH – Adam LaRoche had four hits and little brother Andy drove in a pair of runs, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-4 victory over the Florida Marlins and a three-game sweep. Florida began the series with an 11-1 record.
Other NL games
Giants 1, Padres 0, 10 innings: In San Francisco, Bengie Molina’s pinch-hit double with two outs in the 10th inning drove in Andres Torres to give San Francisco a win before 26,593, San Francisco’s smallest crowd since moving into AT&T Park in 2000.
Brewers 3, Phillies 1: In Philadelphia, Braden Looper pitched six scoreless innings, Mike Cameron hit a two-run double and Tucson native J.J. Hardy had a solo homer to lead Milwaukee.
Braves 1, Nationals 0: In Washington, Kelly Johnson drew a bases-loaded walk from Mike Hinckley in the ninth inning, lifting Atlanta.
Reds 3, Cubs 0: In Chicago, Johnny Cueto pitched seven strong innings and Jay Bruce homered in the ninth to help Cincinnati beat Chicago.
Astros 6, Dodgers 5: In Houston, Ivan Rodriguez hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning for Houston after a wild pitch on an intentional walk by Los Angeles reliever Ronald Belisario put a runner on third base.
Cardinals 5, Mets 2: In St. Louis, Joel Pineiro carried a six-hitter into the ninth inning and Albert Pujols had two hits and two RBIs for St. Louis, which has won 9 of its last 12.