It took 12 innings, but the New York Yankees fell, 5-4, to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday at O.co Coliseum as Oakland swept the four-game series. The Yankees led 4-0 at one point, but CC Sabathia gave up home runs to Brandon Inge and Kurt Suzuki in the fifth inning to spark the A's comeback. Sabathia gave up seven hits and three earned runs in his seven innings on the mound, walking one and striking out six.
Seth Smith hit a third home run, this time off Rafael Soriano, to tie the game at four runs apiece in the bottom of the ninth inning. Cody Eppley (0-2) was credited with the loss after giving up the single to Coco Crisp that scored Derek Norris for the winning run in the 12th.
The Yankees led off the third inning with four straight singles. Mark Teixeira batted in DeWayne Wise to put the Yankees up 1-0. Two batters later with the bases still loaded, Alex Rodriguez batted in two more runs with a double. Curtis Granderson hit his 26th home run of the year off Bartolo Colon to extend the Yankees' lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning.
Colon settled down to retire eight straight batters, however. He finished the day after 6 2/3 innings with eight hits given up and four earned runs. He struck out five with one walk.
Jerry Blevins (3-0) was credited with the win after giving up no hits and one walk with two strikeouts in two innings of work in extra innings.
"We lost four tough games here. We lost four games by a total of four runs," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "That's no fun. Gotta put it behind you and get ready for Seattle."
The Yankees will begin a three-games series against the Seattle Mariners on Monday at 10:10 p.m. ET. Hiroki Kuroda (9-7, 3.46 ERA) and Seattle's Kevin Millwood (3-7, 4.15) will be the starting pitchers.
Stick with this StoryStream for scores, news updates and more from the Yankees series vs. the A's. For all things Yankees, check out Pinstripe Alley. For the Athletics perspective, head over to Athletics Nation.