Video: Raul Ibanez's home run heroics

Raul Ibanez played hero for the Yankees in Wednesday night's dramatic Game 3 victory over the Orioles in the ALDS. So let's take a look, in video form.

First, Yankees manager Joe Girardi pinch hits for a player making almost $30 million this season with Ibanez against Major League Baseball's save leader for the 2012 season.

And ...

Next, Ibanez comes to the plate to face left-handed reliever Brian Matusz. Not only has Matusz been lights out as a reliever, but Ibanez hadn't homered off a left-handed pitcher since July 26, 2011. Yes, when he played for the Phillies. In the regular season, Ibanez hit .197 with zero extra-base hits against lefties.

Still, he did this:

Not impressed by moving pictures? The numbers tell the tale too. The Yankees were down to an 11.5 percent chance of winning this thing when Ichiro flied out in the ninth ... then Ibanez happened.

Source: FanGraphs

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