The super slow motion of a typical Red Sox-Yankees game is bad enough but when somebody like A.J. Burnett wins for New York, a contest that takes way too long turns into a marathon (four hours and twenty one minutes) of torture.
The Yankees (82-53) took two out of three at Fenway Park as they beat the Red Sox (82-53) 4-2 tonight. Boston is back to the slim half game lead atop the AL East while the season series moves to 11-4 in favor of the Red Sox (three left in NY in a few weeks).
Logic dictated the first two outcomes of this latest series: CC Sabathia was due for a win against the Red Sox while Josh Beckett is light years ahead of Phil Hughes at this point. This was the game that on paper that seemed to be a lock for the home team since Jon Lester was starting. As the crappy cliche goes, that's why they play the game.
Burnett got a no-decision but by not completely shitting the bed, he was wildly successful. He went 5.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
A high pitch count (114 pitches) was the thing that caused Lester to crumble. He lasted only five innings, allowing one earned run on seven hits with three walks and six strikeouts.
Robinson Cano's (2 doubles) first inning double drove in Curtis Granderson (2 hits) for a 1-0 Yankees lead.
With both starters out relatively early, it became a battle of the bullpens and to their credit, New York was better. Alfredo Aceves (9-2) was charged with two earned runs and Daniel Bard gave up an earned run and two hits.
Russell Martin put New York ahead with a two-run double in the seventh and pinch-hitter Eric Chavez came through with an RBI single for a 4-2 cushion. Those guys have both been Red Sox killers this season.
Boone Logan got an out, Cory Wade got an out (and earned a fraudulent win) while Rafael Soriano pitched a scoreless seventh and David Robertson had a scoreless eighth. Mariano Rivera had to work in the ninth, loading the bases with two outs and Adrian Gonzalez at bat but Rivera struck him out looking with his 28th pitch to get his 36th save.
One positive for Boston is that Felix Doubrant made his first appearance since April 17 and it was a good one. He recorded four outs, gave up no hits and struck out two. If he can give them anything, it could be big since they desperately need a lefty out of the bullpen for the playoffs that's not named Franklin Morales.
The Texas Rangers come to town this weekend for a three-game series: Andrew Miller vs. Derek Holland tomorrow night, Erik Bedard vs. Colby Lewis on Saturday afternoon and John Lackey vs. Matt Harrison on Sunday afternoon. Hopefully the Red Sox can keep their momentum going vs. the Rangers that they gained last week in the Lonestar State.
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