As if last night’s game between Boston and New York didn’t provide enough drama.
The Red Sox earned their biggest come-from-behind victory over the Yankees since 1968 after trailing 6-0 through 3 1/2 innings of play.
Mike Lowell drove in six RBI’s on a three-run homer in the seventh to make it 12-10 and added a three-RBI double to deep left to put the game on ice at 16-11.
For safety purposes in an offensive back-and-forth game, Jonathan Papelbon closed out the ninth in a non-save situation.
Both teams combined for 28 hits, 6 home runs – Robinson Cano hit two – and, obviously, 27 runs.
Stars of the Game – 6, 7, 8 hitters
Jason Bay, Lowell and Jason Varitek drove in a combined 13 runs. Varitek launched his fourth homer of the season – a grand slam to right – cutting the defecit to one, 6-5 Yankees lead, in the inning.
Next Game – Sun. 4/26 vs. New York Yankees – Andy Pettitte/Justin Masterson
What can be done to top this game? Jacoby Ellsbury may have to hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 21st inning because tonight’s game was as good as it gets.
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The one concern I have right now is that the three hitters who are having trouble are the three lefties in the lineup — Ellsbury, Papi, and Drew. Ells has been turning it around lately, but I think there’s no question that those are the three who are most frustrating to watch right now.
Papi has had success against Pettitte in his career, but I think it would be worthwhile to give him the day off tomorrow, and get Jeff Bailey into the lineup — either as the DH, or as the 1B with either Youk or Lowell DHing to get them some rest as well. Speaking of Lowell…I know they’re a garbage stat, but he already has 22 RBIs this season!
As for the batting order, I think that because it’s the lefties struggling and the righties mashing, there isn’t much you can do. Unless you want to package the righties, but I doubt Tito will go for that idea.
Also, considering that they just scored 16 runs in a game…I’m guessing the modus operandi here is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Last time I checked, Drew wasnt doing so bad. A .971 OPS is pretty awesome.
It’s down to .939, which I’ll admit is still pretty solid. However, Drew is 0-for-10 over the last three games, and batting .045 with a .404 OPS this season with RISP. He’s been excellent with nobody on base (.429 AVG/1.508 OPS), so I’m sure that will eventually even out. Unless, of course, he’s going into a slump, which in Drew’s case would be disastrous because when he’s cold, he’s COLD.
Papi had a bad 1st game, but he’s shown some signs of life recently, he had a double yesterday and he’s been attacking the monster more on this homestand. Personal prediction that first homer comes today and it’ll start a barrage for him.
Amazing how quickly things turn around. Papi is obviously turning it around, with another RBI and XBH. Ellsbury is becoming the one we hoped for, with BA and confidence climbing steadily. JD has been battling the flu AND has gone cold, but that was a nice double tonight. Mikey explained his league leading RBI’s as being in the right place at the right time, behind great hitters. Classy guy. Chris Carter is mashing the ball again after getting regular time at the plate in Pawtucket. Lugo plays tomorrow. 10 in a row.