New York Yankees Take AL East Lead with Alex Rodriguez Clutch Homer

The Yankees have struggled as of late on the road.

All of that changed on Friday night with one swing of the black Louisville Slugger with a number thirteen on the nob.

Trailing the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth inning 3-1, Alex Rodriguez came to the plate.

Deuces were wild, as A-Rod sat with a 2-2 count, with two outs, and two runners on.

Rodriguez drilled a Koji Uehara pitch to left to give the Yankees the lead, where it would stay, as they went on to win 4-3.

Rodriguez drove in four runs on the night to give him 111 on the season and also connected with a solo home run in the second inning.  With his two home runs on the night, he now has 25 on the season—not bad considering the time he missed this summer.

A.J. Burnett was on his way to his 14th loss of the season before the ninth inning comeback, but he still pitched decently, only making a few mistakes.

David Robertson pitched a scoreless eight to pick up the win and move to 4-4 on the season.

Mariano Rivera locked down a three-up, three-down ninth to earn his 31st save of the season.

The Yankees needed a lift and a big win, as time is running out in the 2010 regular season.

The Los Angeles Angels defeated the Tampa Bay Rays to help the Yankees reclaim first place in the AL East standings.

Also, the Boston Red Sox lost a tough one at home against the Toronto Blue Jays as they are barely breathing in the race to October.

The Yankees magic number (number of Yankee wins/Rays losses) to win the American League East is now at 16.  Next week, the division will most likely be decided as the Rays and Yankees play a make-or-break four game series at Yankees Stadium.