These games mean nothing on the surface to Boston (64-78, 33-41 home) while New York (79-62, 38-34 away) fell back into a first-place tie in the AL East with the surging Orioles (who beat the Rays 9-2).
Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia (3 hits, 2 RBIs) and Yankees killer Pedro Ciriaco (2 hits, 2 runs) did most of the damage with nine of Boston's 12 hits. The reason the Red Sox won a game (seems weird to write that) is because they were 5 for 12 with runners in scoring position. The Yankees were 1 for 12 which will never get it done when you want to make the playoffs.
Jon Lester (3 earned runs, 5 hits, 5 strikeouts) was extremely wild, issuing seven walks in 5.1 innings but the Red Sox bullpen picked him up. Junichi Tazawa (1.2 scoreless innings) struck out three, Craig Breslow had a scoreless eighth and Andrew Bailey (1-0) earned the win with a scoreless ninth.
Hiroki Kuroda (6.1 innings, 3 earned runs, 8 hits, 6 strikeouts) also had a no-decision but David Robertson (1-7) was the scapegoat for New York since he allowed three hits including Ellsbury's walkoff.
Robinson Cano gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead in the first with a ground out. Ellsbury and Pedroia's RBI singles made it 2-1 Red Sox in the third. Derek Jeter put New York back on top with a two-run double in the sixth. Pedroia (15th of the season, 3rd in 4 games) answered with a solo shot in the home half of the frame, that set the stage for Ellsbury's memorable single to right which scored Ciriaco with the winning run ahead of Ichiro's throw.
Aaron Cook (3-9) faces David Phelps (3-4) tomorrow night (7:10 p.m., NESN) in a game that has no chance to match the excitement of this one. I guarantee it.
UPDATE 9/12: Scott Atchison was activated off the 60-Day DL and Franklin Morales went on it to make room on the 40-man roster.
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