Series Wrapup: Yankees @ Red Sox
It took getting home to Fenway Park and playing the hated New York Yankees, but not only did the Boston Red Sox snap an ugly 6 game losing streak to start the season, they also managed to win 2 out of 3 against the Yankees and win their first series of the year. Yes indeed, the Red Sox looked like a much different ball club at home, and hope is renewed in Red Sox Nation.
Friday afternoon, with legends Carl Yastrzemski throwing out the first pitch and Johnny Pesky, announcing “play ball”, the Red Sox kicked off their home opener in front of an anxious sold out crowd. John Lackey got the start and he continued to struggle. He gave up runs in the first 5 innings of work and now on the season, in the nine innings he’s pitched, he’s allowed runs in all but one. But this time, the offense bailed Big John out of trouble, scoring early and often against Yankee starter Phil Hughes. Bartolo Colon came in to relieve Hughes in the third inning, and he was very effective for 3 plus innings, before the Sox offense again came through tacking on more runs and making it a 9-6 game. For the first time this year we saw how the bullpen is supposed to look; Bobby Jenks in the 7th, Daniel Bard in the 8th and Jonathan Papelbon in the 9th. Red Sox win, the Red Sox win and the streak is over.
Saturday afternoon saw Clay Buchholz take on the young Daniel Nova. It was Buchholz who struggled, giving up 5 earned runs in 3.2 innings, while Nova shut down the Red Sox for the most part. Too many missed opportunities to drive in runners when in scoring position is something that led to the Sox starting 0-6 and that afternoon it was no different. 8 runners were stranded on base as the Sox could only muster 4 runs in dropping the game 9-4.
How do you motivate Josh Beckett? Drop him from your number one starter to the number four spot in the rotation and then sit back and enjoy the show. Sunday night, with the rest of the Major’s watching, Josh Beckett was simply brilliant. 8 masterful innings, 2 hits and no runs, gives Beckett the win, his first of the year. Not only did he out pitch CC Sabathia, he dominated the Yankee batters, striking out 10, a career high against New York. Welcome back Mr. Beckett, oh how you’ve been missed. The offense produced four runs, but did strand 11 runners on base. But for now, we’ll forget that and focus on Beckett’s beauty of a game. Some are saying it’s the best of his career, any thoughts?
Series Monstah’
This is an easy choice for me – Dustin Pedroia, hands down was a monster in this series. From his first at bat when hit a moon shot home run over the Green Monster in left to kick start the offense, to his last at bat on Sunday when he ripped his third single, the little engine that could led by example on the field all weekend. His defense was not to be outdone, as he turned double plays that left the Fenway faithful in awe of his raw ability. How about these numbers for the 3 game series – 9 for 13, .692 AVG, 5 RBI’s, and 2 base on balls.
The Last Word:
Take a breath, the Red Sox are going to be okay. Home field advantage is proving to be a nice advantage for the Sox and it appears the offense is back. Aside from a few struggling bats and not quite bringing in runners from scoring position in timely innings, the Red Sox have produced runs and done so via the long ball and belting doubles off the left field wall. This team is starting to take the shape that we all knew they could and that is one of a winner.
On Deck:
This is hard to believe, but it’ll be a battle of the AL East basement dwellers when the Tampa Bay Rays visit Fenway Park starting Monday night for a 3 game set. Basement dwellers, yes, but for how long will we see the Red Sox down there? For more on this series, look for my Series Snapshot post.
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