The tie with the Boston Red Sox was very short-lived…

 

Much to Julia‘s happiness and my dismay, the Yankees lost to the Philadelphia Phillies while the Boston Red Sox pounded the New York Mets.

 

Credit: Winslow Townson/AP

 

Melky Cabrera’s game-tying single in the bottom of the 9^th inning  brought visions of yet another walk-off win, but unfortunately, this time there were no late inning heroics.  It appeared that it could have happened in the 10^th inning when both Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter singled, but Mark Teixeira hit into a double-play.  After a walk to Alex Rodriguez, Ramiro Pena flied out to end the inning.

In the top of the 11^th inning with Brett Tomko on the mound, Chase Utley drew a walk and promptly stole second.  Carlos Ruiz doubled to score Utley with the eventual winning run.  This day clearly belonged to Ruiz, who had 3 hits on the day (and was 7-for-12 for the series).  He tagged Johnny Damon at out the plate when Damon tried to score on a Mark Teixeira single.  He also threw out speedy Brett Gardner on an unsuccessful attempt to steal second.

 

Credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images

 

There is a new AL East leader as the Red Sox moved in front of the Toronto Blue Jays with a 12-5 rout of the Mets.  The Blue Jays lost to the Atlanta Braves, 10-2.  So, the Yankees are back in 3^rd place, a game behind the Red Sox.  The Jays are in 2^nd, a ½ back.

 

Credit:  Bill Greene/Boston Globe staff 

The Yankees now head to Arlington, Texas to face the Texas Rangers.  The Rangers lead the AL West by 3 ½ games over the Los Angeles Angels (with a record of 26-17).  I wonder how the Texas crowd will react to A-Rod.  There is a little something that Alex admitted to doing while a member of the 2003 Texas Rangers, so it’ll be time to face the music…

 

The Yankees played in their 11^th consecutive game without an error, which has set a new franchise record.   Despite today’s loss, the Yankees finished a very successful home stand with a mark of 8-2.  Hopefully, they’ll continue this level of play as they take the show on the road. 

Go Yankees!