Yankees’ Jeter makes storybook Bronx exit

Legendary New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter made his last game in the Bronx a memorable one, hitting a walkoff single in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave his team a 65 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

The hit sent the packed crowd at Yankee Stadium into a frenzy and provided a perfect ending to Thursday night’s game, which was attended by several of Jeter’s former teammates, including fellow Yankee legend Mariano Rivera, who retired at the end of last season.

The 40yearold Jeter, considered a lock to make the Baseball Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in five years, had announced before the start of the season that the 2014 campaign would be his last.

In his first atbat of the game in the bottom of the first, Jeter roped a double off the left field wall that drove in Brett Gardner for the Yankees’ first run.

He later reached base on a throwing error in the seventh inning, a play that led to two Yankees runs.

Baltimore tied the game at 55 when first baseman Steve Pearce homered off reliever David Robinson, setting the stage for Jeter to single home Antoan Richardson for the winning run.

“It was above and beyond anything that I’ve ever dreamt of,” Jeter, whose 3,463 hits place him sixth on baseball’s alltime list, said. “This was a lot of fun.”

Although the Yankees still have three games left in their disappointing season, Jeter said he will play only as a designated hitter against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park so that his last game at shortstop his position throughout his career took place in the Bronx.

Robertson (45) got the win despite giving up three earned runs in just one inning of work and blowing a save opportunity, while Orioles reliever Evan Meek (04), who gave up the gamewinning hit to Jeter, took the loss.

The Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda gave up two runs in eight innings, while Orioles starter Kevin Gausman surrendered two runs in five innings.

The Yankees (8277) failed to make the playoffs for the second straight year and only the third time in Jeter’s storied career, which was highlighted by World Series titles in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009.

The Orioles (9564) won the American League East division and will begin postseason play next week.