The third series of the year between the arch rival Red Sox and Yankees commenced last night. The first game pitted $82 million Free Agent AJ Burnett vs. Sox ace Josh Beckett. The Sox won the game 7-0, making the season series record 6-0 in favor of the Boys from Beantown. It was the first time the Yanks were shut out this year.
Beckett dominated while Burnette imploded. Someone forgot to tell the former Blue Jay to show up. Burnette yielded 10 base runners, including 5 walks, and 5 runs ( 3 earned in 2 2/3 innings). The Sox got 4 runs in the second inning thanks to David Ortiz' third home run of the year. An error by AROD allowed a potential double play ball place runners at first and second. JD Drew hit a wall ball driving in 2 more; the game was, in effect, over. After being pulled, Burnette took his frustrations out on a water cooler- kicking it, in an ugly display of anger. Perhaps such intensity could have been saved for the Sox hitters.
Beckett meanwhile improved to 7-2 and lowered his ERA to 3.77 He is 5-0 with a 1.70 ERA since May 5, and in his last four starts he is 3-0 with a 0.31 ERA. Beckett is, more and more, returning to his 2007 form. Beckett along with baseball's best bullpen held the vaunted Yankee offense to 2 hits.
Chien Ming Wang faces knuckleballer Tim Wakefield tonight. The series finishes up tomorrow with Brad Penny going against $162 million "Free Agent" CC Sabathia. Although there are 2/3 of the season remaining, the Yankees are looking at what amounts to the closest thing to "must wins" the next two games. The two teams will not face each other again for two months. Another series loss to the Sox will certainly have the Yankee brass' bowels in an uproar.
- Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment