2012 New York Yankees season

On April 20, against their arch-rival Boston Red Sox during the 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park, Alex Rodriguez hit his 631st career home-run, passing former teammate Ken Griffey Jr. for sole possession of 5th on the all-time list.

On October 3, during the last game of the season, the Yankees clinched their 18th American League East title when the Baltimore Orioles lost to the Tampa Bay Rays 4–1.

The game remained tied going into the ninth inning until a lead off home run by Russell Martin pushed the Yankees ahead 3-2.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Yankees got on the board with Russell Martin double followed by a Derek Jeter triple tying the game at 1.

The score remained the same until the bottom of the ninth inning, when Yankees manager Joe Girardi pinch hit Raúl Ibañez for Alex Rodriguez.

The score remained 2–2 going into the bottom of the 12th inning, until Ibañez came up to bat again crushing a walk-off home run into the upper deck in right field, giving the Yankees a 3–2 victory and a 2–1 lead in the series.

CC Sabathia gave the Yankees his second big performance of the series, pitching a complete game, giving up one run on four hits while striking out nine.

It proved enough, as CC got Matt Wieters to ground out for the final out, sending the Yankees to a chance to play for the pennant versus the Detroit Tigers.