Raul Ibanez hit his second home run of the game during a dramatic rally in the 13th inning, then the New York Yankees won a thriller when first baseman Brandon Moss' two-out error in the 14th lifted them over the Oakland Athletics 10-9 Saturday.
The AL East leaders came back to hold their one-game edge over Baltimore. Down 9-5 in the 13th, the Yankees won for just the second time in team history after trailing by at least four runs in extra innings.
Oakland began the day with a 3 1-2 game lead over Los Angeles for the second AL wild-card spot. The A's still have an edge, but blew a huge opportunity and lost for the fifth time in six games.
Moments after pinch runner Melky Mesa — in his big league debut — missed third base and had to retreat, the Yankees found another way to win. Moss let a bases-loaded grounder by Eduardo Nunez skip off his glove, allowing Ichiro Suzuki score and ending a game that took 5 hours, 43 minutes.
Johnny Gomes, Yoenis Cespedes and Chris Carter homered in the 13th, putting the A's ahead. New York rallied in the bottom half, scoring runs on a wild pitch and Nunez's sacrifice fly before Ibanez hit a tying, two-run drive off Pat Neshek.
In a game that included a bruising hit at home plate, stellar defensive plays and even a bit of rain, the Yankees got a bit of luck to outlast the A's.
Eric Chavez led off the 14th with a single against Tyson Ross (2-10) and Mesa pinch ran. Derek Jeter sacrificed and Suzuki was walked intentionally, bringing up Alex Rodriguez.
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Rodriguez singled to center, and the Yankees erupted in the dugout, sensing they had won. But Mesa stepped over third base, had to retrace a few steps and was held up.
Robinson Cano followed with a bouncer between the mound and first base. Ross lunged for the ball, spun and threw home for a forceout.
That left it up to Nunez, and he sliced a grounder toward first base. Moss slid over and was in position to make the play, but the ball bounced off his mitt and skittered away.
Several of Mesa's teammates were able to laugh about the rookie's misstep after it was over, and they kidded with him as they walked off the field.
Cory Wade (1-1) pitched the 14th for the win.
