Delmon robs A-Rod of homer with leaping grab
Yankees slugger settles for sacrifice fly in first inning against Tillman
NEW YORK -- Delmon Young delayed Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez from making history, as the O's right fielder made a fantastic over-the-wall grab to retire New York's designated hitter in the first inning of Baltimore's 4-3 loss to the Yanks on Thursday night.
Rodriguez, who tied Willie Mays with 660 career homers on Friday night at Fenway Park, drilled O's starter Chris Tillman's 2-0 pitch into deep right field, and Young was able to time his jump perfectly to make the catch and see Rodriguez retired on a sacrifice fly instead, which tied the game at 1.
"I was upset with myself for missing there," Tillman said. "[He] put a good swing on it, but at the same time, [Young] made a great catch and he kept us in that game from the get-go. Get some momentum back on your side. That's why you've got to start mixing pitches, and I missed."
Rodriguez couldn't be denied in his second at-bat, drilling homer No. 661 off Tillman to straightaway center field, giving the Yankees a 3-2 lead.
"I don't like it," Tillman said of being on the other end of history. "Any time you give up a home run, I don't like it. He's one of the all-time greats. You've got to respect it. Any time you make a mistake to that guy, he's going to make you pay. He pretty much did twice."