The New York Yankees beat the Atlanta Braves, 6-4, Tuesday at Turner Field thanks to a six-run eighth inning highlighted by an Alex Rodriguez grand slam. The shot off Jonny Venters (3-3) was A-Rod's 23rd career grand slam, tying him with Lou Gehrig for the most all-time.
The Yankees were down 4-0 after seven innings. Venters replaced Atlanta starting pitcher Mike Minor with one out in the eighth inning after a single by Derek Jeter. A single by Curtis Granderson and a walk to Mark Teixeira loaded the bases to set the stage for Rodriguez' blast into the left field seats.
After a Robinson Cano single Cory Gearrin came on to pitch for Atlanta. Nick Swisher greeted him with a two-run home run into the right-field seats to give the Yankees the lead.
The victory, combined with the New York Mets 11-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, moved the Yankees into sole possession of first place in the American League East.
CC Sabathia (8-3) gave up four runs, all earned, off 10 hits and two walks while striking out six in seven innings. Matt Diaz doubled home three runs in the first inning, but Sabathia settled down after that. He allowed only a seventh-inning run when Jason Heyward scored Martin Prado on a ground out to build what seemed like a comfortable 4-0 lead for the Braves.
Rafael Soriano earned his 10th save of the season, giving up no hits and striking out two in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Game 3 of the series is set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET at Turner Field. Hiroki Kuroda (5-6, 3.46 ERA) will take on the Braves' Tim Hudson (4-2, 3.83) at the mound.
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