Yankees Top Red Sox in 12 Innings, Control Own Fate - East Idaho News
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Yankees Top Red Sox in 12 Innings, Control Own Fate

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Getty S 100312 Raul%20Ibanez?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1349259956349Robert Rogers/MLB Photos via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The New York Yankees came back to defeat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in 12 innings on Tuesday night behind a strong showing from Raul Ibanez.

Down 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, Ibanez pinch-hit for designated hitter Eduardo Nunez and hit a game-tying two-run home run and sent the game into extra innings.

“We stuck together. We stayed after them, and we were able to pull it out,” Ibanez said. “It’s crunch time for us, and we all know that.”

In the bottom of the 12th inning, Ibanez hit a walkoff RBI single to win the game for the Bronx Bombers.  This was one of the most important wins of the season for the Yankees.  It allowed them to maintain their one-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the race for the American League East division title.

The Orioles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 on Tuesday night to remain one game back of the Yankees.

David Phelps went five and one third innings for the Yankees, giving up two runs on three hits.

This was the first win of the season for the Yankees when trailing after eight innings of play.

The Yankees control their own playoff fate.  A win Wednesday night over the Red Sox would give the Yankees the AL East crown as well as home-field advantage throughout the American League Playoffs. If the Yankees lose and the Orioles win, the teams will play a one-game playoff on Thursday to decide the AL East champions.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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