Joe Girardi inadvertently won the game for the NY Yankees Thursday night. He contested a controversial call in the ninth inning. His behavior got him kicked out of the game and is being touted as the reason for the Yankees win.

Umpire Chris Guccione ruled the a ball had ticked the handle of Jason Giambi’s bat, resulting in a foul tip, giving the Baltimore team a strike three. This forced Girardi from the dugout in what was to be an extremely dramatic display of displeasure. There was even the kicking of a hat.

In being ejected, he returned to his office, with a standing ovation from the crowd. This got the entire team fired up, giving them the extra push that they needed to squeak out a tough win. The Daily News quotes Jason Giambi:

“Maybe that’s the little spark that we need to get us going. We’ve been right on the verge, playing good baseball but not great baseball. Maybe this is the thing that gets it all going.”

The drama must have gotten to pitcher Johnson, who then walked Bobby Abreu and allowed a single by Cano which won the game.

When asked later if it was worth getting ejected for the win, Girardi responded that he’d do it 162 times. Maybe the Yankees have a new winning strategy.

Tags: Jason Giambi, Joe Girardi, NY Yankees

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