Grit Index: Three-run inning propels Yankees to comeback win over D-backs

The Arizona Diamondbacks had everything going for them through the first six innings at Yankee Stadium Wednesday night. Paul Goldschmidt hit a two-run home run off New York Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia in the first inning, A.J. Pollock added to the lead with a sacrifice fly in the fifth and Wade Miley looked unhittable (retired 18 of the first 22 batters he faced).

Then it all unraveled for Miley and Co. in the seventh inning.

Sandwiched in the middle of a Kevin Youkilis groundout and a Francisco Cervelli strikeout, Miley gave up a hit to left field by Ben Francisco. Then the D-backs left-hander surrendered a double to Brennan Boesch, a walk to Eduardo Nunez and a run-scoring walk to Jayson Nix.

Reliever Tony Sipp came in to try and put out Miley’s fire, but promptly allowed a game-tying, two-run single to Brett Gardner.

In the bottom of the eighth, Yankees manager Joe Girardi called on Travis Hafner to pinch hit for Francisco. The veteran designated hitter/first baseman jumped on a first-pitch fastball from David Hernandez and sent the ball over the right center field bleachers to give New York a 4-3 lead.

Closer Mariano Rivera did the rest in the ninth, retiring the D-backs in order to finish off a comeback victory for the Yankees.

The Good:

Outside of his hiccup in the seventh inning, Wade Miley went pitch for pitch with former Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia. Making his first start at Yankees Stadium, Miley gave up three runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings. The second-year pitcher also struck out three.

A night after recording his first two-hit game with the D-backs, Cody Ross put together a repeat performance against Sabathia. Ross had two of Arizona’s six hits.

The Bad:

For the second consecutive night, the D-backs started fast but couldn’t hold a lead in the Bronx. Tuesday night, a Robinson Cano home run in the fourth inning proved to be the difference. Wednesday night, a three-run seventh inning did the D-backs in.

Travis Hafner’s home run was the first run given up by David Hernandez in 2013.

Stat of the Game:

All four of the Yankees’ runs Wednesday night came with two outs.

Noted:

• Goldschmidt’s first-inning home run marked the third time in his career that he’s hit a home run off a former Cy Young Award winner. The D-backs first baseman has five career home runs off of Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum and two off of Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee.

• The D-backs are now 1-10 in 11 games played in the Bronx, including Games 3, 4 and 5 of the 2001 World Series.

Up Next:

The final game of the interleague series between the D-backs and Yankees is scheduled to start at 4:05 p.m MST on Thursday. Arizona’s Patrick Corbin will look to move to 3-0. He’ll be opposed by Phil Hughes (0-2).