An unexpected sweep…

 

 

The Yankees rallied to defeat the Boston Red Sox, 5-2, on Sunday.  With the win, the Yankees completed a four game sweep of the Red Sox, and increased their lead in the AL East to 6 ½ games over Boston.

 

The Baltimore Sun

 

Prior to the start of the weekend series, I had hoped that the Yanks would win enough games so that they’d finished the series on Sunday in first place.  However, I never imagined that the lead would balloon to 6 ½.

 

 

The game had been another scoreless affair through the early innings.  Jon Lester continued his dominance over the Yankees, with 7 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, and 7 strikeouts.  He did not have any walks.  Of the Boston pitchers, Lester is the one that I have the most respect for, and he did a masterful job.

 

Kathy Willens/AP 

 

The Yankees struck first with a solo home run by Alex Rodriguez in the 7^th inning.

 

Kathy Willens/AP

 

However, the Red Sox quickly struck back with a two-run homer by Victor Martinez off Phil Coke in the top of the 8^th, which ended the team’s 30 inning scoring drought.

 

Kathy Willens/AP 

 

Coke had relieved Andy Pettitte, who, like Lester, pitched a terrific game.  Pettitte also went 7 innings, with 5 hits, no runs, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.  Unfortunately, it was a no-decision for Pettitte’s effort, as Coke lost the lead but earned the victory with the Yankees’ 8^th inning comeback.

The first batters went down quickly so it appeared that the Yanks would head to the 9^th down by 1.  However, Johnny Damon came to the plate and tied the game with a homer.  He was followed by Mark Teixeira, who connected for a homer to put the Yanks up by 1.  After a couple of more runs scored courtesy of a single by Nick Swisher, the Yankees had turned a 2-1 deficit to a 5-2 lead.

 

Kathy Willens/AP

 

Mariano Rivera entered the game in the 9^th, and looked a bit rusty.  With a hit and a walk, he allowed the tying run to come to the plate.  However, Jacoby Ellsbury hit a grounder that Mark Teixeira was able to field and step on first before Ellsbury could get there.  So, although the 9^th inning was tense, the Yankees emerged with the victory and the series sweep.

 

William Perlman/The Star Ledger 

 

Congratulations to the Yankees for a job well done!

 

 

 

Meanwhile, my friend, Julia (of Julia’s Rants) has completed ½ of her wager loss with a tremendous Top 11 (eleven positive, memorable things about the Yankees).  For the other half of the waiver, she has to take a photo of her SUV in three high profile, easily recognizable spots.  One catch, the SUV has to be flying a Yankees flag.  That’s easier said than done, at least in Boston.  Good luck, Julia!  The flag is in the mail!  Julia, by the way, has been a great sport.  It’s tough to be positive about the other team when your team loses to them (trust me, I have great experience!), but she’s held her head high and paid her debt while maintaining the pride and respect of the RSN.  I realize that this is just a single victory…well, okay, four of them!  😉  The Yankees and Red Sox will go at it again beginning August 21^st at Fenway Park, and you can be assured that the Red Sox will be seeking revenge, as will a certain woman from Boston…

 

 

See you again on August 21st, my friend!  The game is still on!  🙂

Pitcher Chad Gaudin joined the Yankees today, and as expected, pitcher Josh Towers was DFA’d without throwing a pitch for the Yanks (he had just been called up from AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre for insurance after the long 15 inning ordeal on Friday night).  Gaudin will pitch out of the bullpen, and was told by manager Joe Girardi that he could come in to face a batter or two, or he could be asked to pitch an entire game.  I think he is just on Sergio Mitre start away from getting a shot in the rotation…

 

 

 

Here are the final totals for the Red Sox-Yankees series:

 

Runs

Red Sox                                  8

Yankees                  25

 

Home Runs

Red Sox                                  3

Yankees                  9

 

Wins

Red Sox                                  0

Yankees                  4

 

Winner:                                 Scott!

 

 

It was a very enjoyable weekend!

–Scott