Freaky Friday includes weird 13th, then ice cream
NEW YORK -- Dissecting the Rays' 10-5 win Friday night, what happened in the bottom of the 13th gets top billing among the bizarre events that took place.
With the score tied at 5, Brian McCann singled through the middle against Heath Bell to open the Yankees' 13th. Brian Roberts followed with a single to right before Yangervis Solarte grounded out to first, moving the runners to second and third.
Prior to pinch-hitter Brett Gardner stepping to the plate, the Rays drew in the infield and expanded its numbers to five by bringing in Wil Myers to play first.
Myers, who had never played first base during his professional career, tried on Sean Rodriguez's first-base mitt as Rodriguez grabbed an infield glove before moving over from first to accommodate Myers. Myers ended up using his outfield glove rather than Rodriguez's glove, which he said was too tight.
Before any action took place, Myers asked Bell what he should to do if Gardner bunted, and Bell told him. Fortunately for Myers and the Rays, Gardner did not bunt, a decision that likely had more to do with McCann being on third and less about Gardner bunting.
Gardner grounded out to Rodriguez, stationed to the right of Myers. Since technically, Rodriguez was the first baseman and Myers the right fielder, the official scoring on the play after Rodriguez threw to Myers for the 3-9 putout. Once the out was recorded, Myers returned to right field.
Bell then intentionally walked Jacoby Ellsbury to bring Derek Jeter to the plate. The Yankees captain then grounded out to Bell to end the threat.
In the top of the 14th inning, the Rays scored five runs to put the game away. Not to be forgotten during that frame was David DeJesus' heroic effort with the ice cream.
During the first game of Thursday's doubleheader sweep against the Red Sox, DeJesus ate soft serve ice cream then went out and drove in both runs of a 2-1 Rays win with a home run and a bases-loaded walk. So what do you think DeJesus was doing when the Rays got busy in the 14th? That's right, he was eating ice cream.
"I was looking for a strawberry shortcake [flavor], and they didn't have strawberry shortcake," DeJesus said. "So I went with a chocolate éclair. It was Good Humor [ice cream]."
DeJesus said having his ice cream eating attached to wins is leading him "down a slippery slope" where his diet is concerned. But he said if he must eat ice cream for the Rays to win, "it's about the team, it's not about me." So if his eating the ice cream affects his waist and the Rays win 95 games or so, "I'll be that guy."