Arod, Teixeira Homer in Yankees Win, Umps Strike Out

The New York Yankees sluggers pulled off some late-inning theatrics in game 2 of the AL Division Series against the Minnesota Twins, defeating the Minnesota Twins in the 11th inning. The Yankees are in the driver's seat in the best-of-5 series with a 2-0 record.

Down 3-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez hit a dramatic two-run home run against Twins closer Joe Nathan to tie the game at 3 apiece, cleaning the slate for some extra inning playoff baseball.

Two innings later, new Yankees acquisition Mark Teixeira smashed a line drive walk-off home run faster than Usain Bolt falling down a flight of stairs. All in all, the two biggest pieces of the Yankees payroll wrestled the game away from Ron Gardenhire's plucky Twins.

The game was not without its annual dose of postseason controversy. In the Twins' top of the 11th inning with no outs, Twins catcher Joe Mauer hit an opposite field dying quail to left field, which bounced once and into the stands. The third base umpire quickly called it a foul ball, but the television replay showed it was clearly a foot fair, which would have been an automatic ground rule double.

Mauer would later single in his at-bat, but the Twins could have used the extra 90 feet. Jason Kubel, the next man up, struck a single, delivering Mauer to second base. Then, Michael Cuddyer pounded out a single, loading the bases. Joe Girardi called in for reliever David Robertson, who squeezed out of the bases loaded, no out jam, providing the Yankees with the momentum they needed to make some new magic for the new Yankee Stadium.

Game 2 started out as a pitchers duel, with Twins pitcher Nick Blackburn and Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett staving off opponent runs into the 6th inning. Each pitcher would only surrender 1 run apiece. In the top of the 8th, Minnesota launched a small ball rally which put them up 3-1, which they held onto until the bottom of the ninth.

Alex Rodriguez's 11th hour home run is significant because he is trying to shake off his usual October slump. His game-tying home run was a good start, but he will have to keep delivering in order for the Yankees to get their first World Series ring since 2000.

The New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins will take the series back to Minnesota for game 3 on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. EST. Yankees pitcher Andy Petitte is expected to take on Twins pitcher Carl Pavano.

Game stats are provided by Yahoo! Sports.