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
