Yankees Score Seven in Ninth for Victory

For eight innings, the New York Yankees somehow could not score against Dan Reichert, even though he tied a Royal record with nine walks.

But when the Yankees got help from Kansas City’s bullpen, they took advantage.

David Justice homered to cap a seven-run eruption in the ninth inning and the Yankees rallied past the Royals, 7-3, Thursday night.

Reichert pitched eight scoreless innings despite matching Dick Drago’s team record for walks. He gave up only two hits and left with a 1-0 lead.

Jose Canseco drew a leadoff walk in the ninth from Ricky Bottalico (7-5), and pinch-runner Chuck Knoblauch moved to second on Scott Brosius’ single.

Kris Wilson relieved and made a wild throw to third when pinch-hitter Luis Polonia bunted back to the mound, scoring the tying run.

Jose Vizcaino hit an RBI single for a 2-1 lead, Derek Jeter had an RBI double and Ryan Thompson a two-run single. The Royals brought in Scott Mullen, and Justice hit his 36th homer into the right-field bullpen.

“It was a big win for us,” Yankee Manager Joe Torre said. “Any game at this point in the schedule is big, especially coming back.”