The Yankees completed their three-game sweep of the Red Sox on Sunday by virtue of a 4-2 victory in the Bronx.
The Sox got off to a quick start, striking first in the opening frame, and extending their lead to 2-0 in the third. The Yanks posted the next four runs, however, including home runs by Mark Teixeira (38) and Melky Cabrera (13).
Paul Byrd was the hard luck loser in today’s match, throwing 5.2 innings before being chased in the sixth after two two-out singles. Takashi Saito came in for relief, but provided little, as he allowed both inherited runners to score on a Hideki Matsui single.
With the score 3-2, the Yankees never looked back, tallying another run on a Mark Teixeira lead-off home run in the 8th.
The Sox again put on two base runners in the ninth against Mariano Rivera, though the team could not plate either runner for the second straight night.
Tonight’s award for “Stupid Baserunning” goes to Nick Swisher for doing his best to foul up the Yankees’ sweep, as he failed to tag up while running to third base in the fifth. The team appealed the call at second base, where Swisher was called out.
The Sox now turn their sights to the Blue Jays, whom they will host in Boston from Monday through Wednesday. The team desperately needs a tune-up, as they have to be reeling following another sweep to their division rivals.
Should this team have any hope of World Series glory, they will have to figure out their woes against New York. The Yankees are right now proving why they are top dog in the American League and they have to be considered the front runner to win the title this season.
The last nine seasons have been among the best in Sox history, winning two titles while New York hasn’t stood atop the MLB since 2000. This run of Yankee inferiority is in jeopardy of ending this season, which also coincides with one of the Yankee’s longest title droughts since their first championship in 1923. In terms of New York titleless streaks, only two periods have been longer, between their titles of 1962 and 1977 (1963-1976), and their titles of 1978 and 1996 (1979-1995).
Enjoy it while it lasts and pray that the Sox can overcome whatever ails them against New York. They will need it in the ALCS. Either that, or start becoming Detroit or Anaheim fans. Any team that beats the Yankees is OK with me. Just don’t rely on a National League team to do it.
Next Game: Monday, 7:10 pm: Toronto at Boston; Josh Beckett v. Scott Richmond
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Yup, another roll over and play dead performance from the biggest frauds in baseball. I’m sure that after beating up on the likes of Baltimore and Toronto all second half the Sox sycophants will say “oh, but we were just playing out the string” and other loser mentality rationalizations. This team should just move on to the golf course of their choice, they’re a bunch of pansies who will be in the playoffs by default and will deservedly lose in the first round. I can’t say I have ever hated the sight of a team 27 over .500 in my life. Roll over and play dead you over paid pieces of crap …
Don’t throw a fit, crankypants. We lost two close games and one where our starter left hurt. We have a good team and we’re playing LAA in the first round; I like our chances. Don’t give up just yet.
Actually, OJ, can’t wait to see the rotation of Beckett, Lester, Buchholz, Daisuke in all 3 post=season series. Can’t wait to see a series in which Youk, Victor, Mike, J.Bay, J.D., Papi, A-Gon, Ells actually play in every game. Love that Byrd, Wake & Bowden all appear to be good to go. So glad ESPN won’t be covering the series. Joe Morgan and the talking heads will be crushed if the NYY lose.
except swish did tag up, if you watch the replay. the ump called it wrong.