Game 136 notes: Yankees win 9-6

Ian Kennedy (1-0) was stellar in his Major League debut. The rookie from USC allowed three runs (one earned) and five hits over seven innings. He also allowed a solo home run and two walks. He threw 96 pitches for 66 strikes.

Alex Rodriguez gave the rookie an early lead by hitting a two-run home run in the first inning. The Yankees would go on to score two runs in the third inning and three runs in the fourth inning to give Kennedy even more support. Rodriguez ended the day with four RBIs and was a triple shy of the cycle.

With the Yankees leading 7-3 in the eighth, Luis Vizcaino came in and allowed three runs to turn an easy game into a save situation. Mariano Rivera had to record four outs to earn his 23rd save of the season. He struck out the side in the ninth inning as well.

Some notes from the game:

• Rodriguez's home run was his 45th of the season. He also has 129 RBIs. The most runs he has driven in as a Yankee is 130 and the most runs he's driven in in his career is 142. He has a very good chance at passing those numbers.
  
• Akinori Iwamura's bat was confiscated by the umpires for inspection, at the request of Joe Torre, because the bat had a flat top. Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon returned the favor by having the umpires take Rodriguez's bat away.
• Minor League utility infielder Alberto Gonzalez made his Major League debut for the Yankees this afternoon. The rosters expanded to 40 today.

Seattle lost to Toronto this afternoon, so the Yankees now have a two-game lead in the American League Wild Card standings. Boston is playing Baltimore tonight. If Baltimore wins, the Yankees would be trailing Boston by four games in the American League East standings.

Andy Pettitte will oppose Jason Hammel tomorrow afternoon.

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)