Jeter Leads Yankees to 9-2 Win in Angel Stadium Swan Song

May 7, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) greets New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) as the Angels give Jeter a paddleboard prior to the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports

On a night celebrating all things Derek Jeter, the Yankees’ captain made his final game at Angel Stadium memorable. He went 2-for-5 with two RBIs as New York won the series’ rubber game Wednesday night, 9-2.

After reaching base on Collin Cowgill’s first-inning error, Jeter elevated Hector Santiago’s changeup over the left-center field wall his next time up. It was his first home run of the season and gave New York a 6-0 lead in the sixth.

Jeter’s home run-the 257^th of his career-was his first in 162 at-bats, dating back to July 28, 2013. It was also the first in Anaheim since 2006.

Angels and Yankees fans alike rose in the eight to witness Jeter take his last swings at the “Big A.” With the bases loaded and recent call-up Cory Rasmus on the mound, Jeter reached first base on a fielder’s choice as Brian Roberts was cut down at home plate. Jeter ends his Angel Stadium career with a .339 batting average with 114 hits and 43 RBIs over 81 games.

Santiago continues to victimize himself with single innings that ruin quality starts. The Angels made two errors in the first, one on Santiago’s botched throw to first, leading to five runs. Santiago has allowed three plus runs in a sole inning in five of seven starts.

In his shorter outing this season, Santiago was lifted after just 2 1/3 innings. He drops to 0-6 and ties Houston’s Brett Oberholtzer for the league lead in losses.

Yankees starter Vidal Nuno ploughed through a rocky first inning to pick up his first win. He scattered four hits through 6 1/3 innings, yielding his only run on a fielder’s choice. C.J. Cron was the only Angel with multiple hits, going 3-for-4 with an RBI in his fifth game since being called up last weekend. The 24-year-old is batting .421 with eight hits in 19 at-bats.

A video montage set to Jay-Z’s “New York State of Mind” aired before the game highlighting Jeter’s career. “The Captain” then met Jered Weaver, Albert Pujols, Mike Trout, and Howie Kendrick on the pitcher’s mound where he was presented with a 12-foot-long paddleboard embedded with his No. 2 and the Yankee logo.