Yankees desperation shows in comeback win over Blue Jays-Blair

9/18/13, "Blair: Yankees’ desperation shows in comeback win over Jays," Jeff Blair, Toronto Globe and Mail

"Despite the win, the Yankees (80-72) still have a chance of finishing fourth in the American League East for the first time since 1992....

The teams will wrap up their three-game series Thursday, when the Blue Jays will honour all-time saves leader Mariano Rivera, who came into the game Wednesday with two out in the eighth and Rajai Davis on second base after a single and stolen base.

How desperate are the Yankees? It was the fourth time in seven games they asked Rivera to pitch more than an inning. Rivera was greeted with a standing ovation from the Rogers Centre crowd of 24,247 and it took three pitches for Brett Lawrie to ground out to end the inning.

Rivera survived singles by Adam Lind and Rasmus in the ninth for his 652nd career save and his 44th of the season – striking out J.P. Arencibia on three pitches with runners on second and third.
It is the highest total of any reliever in his final season. Rivera had been tied with Robb Nen and Jeff Shaw at 43."...

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