There is definitely not a lack of drama when the Red Sox come to town. Both games (Monday and Tuesday) were decided in the 9th inning and both featured large comebacks by the Red Sox. The Yanks are probably lucky to get out of the series with 1-win as they let both games get away from them. They could have lost the first one as well. So let's take a look at both games and hand out the letter grades.
A-Rod Ties It and Thames Wins It on Walk Off
What started out as a 5-0 lead in the 1st inning off Matsusaka evaporated throughout the middle innings and finally disappeared in the 7th as Chan Ho Park made his first appearance post-injury and allowed two HRs to give up the lead and make it 9-7 Sox going to the 8th. The Yanks got nothing off of Bard in the 8th but Papelbon entered for the 9th. Gardner promplty doubled and Teixiera moved him to 3rd on a fly ball. A-Rod then hit a two-run no-doubter to left to tie the game. After Cano made out, drama ensued as Cervelli was hit by a pitch. Clearly it was not intentional as it was the bottom of the 9th but with Posada sidelined with a foot injury, the Yankees could not afford to lose their back up cather. Marcus Thames stepped to the plate and blasted the first pitch he saw into the left field seats. The Yanks won a very exciting game that saw them blow a 5 run lead.
Phil Hugues struggled to put hitters away through his 5 innings and was bitten by the Home Run as JD Drew hit a 3 run HR and Ortiz and Martinez contributed solo shots. He seemed to have control issues throughout the game but at least kept the team in the game.
Final grades:
Offense: A+ Never gave up, and continued to put pressure on Boston pitching. 11 runs in any game is a great day.
Starting Pitching (Hughes): B- This grade would be worse if the offense hadn't scored 5 runs in the first. Phil didn't really have a poor inning until the 5th and was killed by the one mistake he made to Drew. Not a terrible performance by any means.
Bullpen: C Vazquez looked great for his one batter in a tight spot, Marte looked good as well. Park couldn't locate at all and gave up the lead.
Yanks Blow Another Lead but Can't Rally This Time
Again the Yankees took a lead in Game 2 against the Sox but couldn't hold it as it rapidly slipped away in the 8th when Chamberlain came on and couldn't figure out how to throw a strike. The game was tied heading into the 9th when Mo gave up some more runs (let's hope this is just a blip for him). Trailing by 2 in the bottom of the 9th, the Yanks got a man on 2nd with no one out and BUNTED Cervelli?! I do not understand it because he is hitting so well with runners in scoring position. Gardner did get to 3rd on the bunt but could not be brought home and the Bombers lost the game.
Final Grades:
Offense: A- Good overall, but couldn't capitalize to win the game. Hit the ball hard though
Starting Pitching (Sabatthia): A- Only 1 run allowed. Good start overshadowed by Joba's horrific 8th inning.
Bullpen: F They simply did not do the job. Joba gave up 4 runs in an inning and Mo gave up 2 in the 9th.
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