MANHATTAN — Mariano Rivera may be fallible after all.
Rivera served up an eighth-inning grand slam to Jason Kubel with two outs to blow a save at home for the first time in almost three years in the Yankees 6-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.
“You probably should have recorded that. Take pictures. It’s probably not something you will see often,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told the Associated Press of Rivera’s off day. “He’s the best in the game.”
Rivera's blown save ended a streak of 51 straight converted save opportunities at home, tying the major league record set by former Dodgers closer Eric Gagne. It was the first grand slam off Rivera since Bill Selby’s game-ending shot for Cleveland on July 14, 2002.
New York was clinging to a 3-1 lead with two outs when Rivera entered the game. The Yankees closer walked Jim Thome with the bases loaded to force in a run before serving up the grand slam to Kubel.
The Yankees got the first two batters on base in the ninth inning, but their rally fell short when Twins closer John Rauch struck out Derek Jeter, Brett Gardner and Mark Teixeira to end the game.
Jorge Posada and Mark Teixeira each had two hits for the Yankees in defeat.
The Yankees, who won two of three against Minnesota, hope to get back on track as they begin a two-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Monday. Phil Hughes is scheduled to face Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka on Monday night.
