It didn’t take Chase Headley long to make a very good impression on his debut for the New York Yankees, hitting a walk-off RBI single to give them a 2-1, 14th inning win over the Texas Rangers, maybe bringing some much needed push and new blood in their attempt to find themselves in the playoffs eventually.

Traded from the San Diego Padres, Headley was a Yankee for only 4.5 hours before suiting up and finishing with 1-for-4 on his debut, as fans had to wait until the 13th inning to see some scoring going on, while the teams went through a total of 17 pitchers. Jeff Francis was the one who picked up the win for the Yankees, while it was Nick Tepesch with his sixth loss of the season that was the one to give up the Headley single, bringing home Brian Roberts.

A little chaotic. Awesome, though. Mixed emotions, but I couldn’t be happier. Sometimes these things happen. I had a chance earlier to get it done. There’s a lot of nerves, but then I thought, why wouldn’t this day go this way? I was yanking off everything and made an adjustment and shot it the other way. I’m excited to be here. I can’t wait to help, and just to be a part of this great franchise.

In the 13th inning things seemed to go south for the Yankees as J.P. Arencibia hit a home run off of David Huff to open the scoring in the game. However, Jacoby Ellsbury, one of four Yankees players with a multiple hit day, singled to right and Brett Gardner scored as Joakim Soria blew the save. Headley finished the job a few minutes later.

Derek Jeter made a little bit more of Yankees history with his 535th double for the franchise, becoming their all-time leader in doubles, passing Lou Gehrig. It was Jeter’s only hit of the game, and he’s hitting .272 so far this season.

Headley became the first Yankees player with a walk-off RBI on his debut in 71 years, going back to Roy Weatherly in 1943 against the Washington Senators. Alex Gonzalez was the first player to do it this season. It was also the first time in franchise history that they managed to score a game tying hit so late in the game, while being shut out up until that moment.

They’re now four games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East and 1.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the last wild card spot. The Rangers, at 40-60, aren’t really heading anywhere.

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