After the A’s scored two runs off Yankees starter Sergio Mitre in the top of the first, New York responded in the bottom of the frame, bombing Oakland lefty Dallas Braden for four runs, thanks in large part to a three-run double by Robinson Cano.
In his second big-league start of the season, Mitre lasted five-plus innings, giving up four runs on nine hits. Phil Coke relieved Mitre in the sixth and blew the save opportunity, allowing a two-run homer to A’s second baseman Mark Ellis. But Coke would be credited with the win after the Yankees fought back in their half of the inning.
Brought in to protect a two-run advantage in the seventh, Phil Hughes pitched a scoreless inning and a third for New York, striking out three of the first four batters he faced before getting himself in a pickle in the following frame. The young right-hander issued a one-out walk before Daric Barton's double put Oakland runners on second and third.
But Brian Bruney came in and struck out Ellis before Rivera came on to retire pinch-hitter Nomar Garciaparra on a comebacker. Rivera got the A’s in order in the ninth.
Braden ended up allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. He also set a career high with six walks.
Sunday’s win was the Yankees’ 32nd comeback victory of the season and the team’s 22nd triumph in 28 games.
