09/15: Yanks erupt with six run eighth inning to defeat Red Sox 8-7
Posted by: David
The story of the game until the eighth inning was one of missed opportunities and sloppy defense for the Yankees. They trailed 7-2 and were looking at Okajima and Papelbon in the bullpen if they got any closer.
Okajima started the eighth and gave up home runs to Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano to make the score 7-4. He walked Melky Cabrera and Johnny Damon followed with a double up the gap in left to put runners on second and third with no outs. Papelbon relieved and Derek Jeter fought off an inside fastball and looped it to right to score Cabrera and put the tying runs on base. Bobby Abreu followed with a booming double off the wall in center field, just missing a homer and both runners scored to tie the game. A-Rod followed with a line single to left center to put the Yankees ahead 8-7.
The Yankees had an opportunity in the first inning with the bases loaded vs. Dice-K and only one out but could not score. The Red Sox got a run early and added another on an error from Giambi. In the fourth, the Yankees struck back for one but left runners on base again.
Andy Pettitte simply was not sharp all night and left after four with a high pitch count. He would surrender three more runs and left with his team behind 5-1. The Yankees closed to 5-2 but couldn't get any closer.
Jose Veras pitched well but had an opportunity to get out of an inning with no runs, but Jason Giambi dropped a throw from Abreu in right which would have doubled off Ortiz to end the inning. J.D. Drew followed with a hit and another run. The Red Sox would add another to make it seem safe until the Yankees erupted in the eighth.
The Yankees could not add any insurnace and Vizcaino pitched a scoreless eighth and Rivera saved the game in the ninth only surrendering a single to Drew.
The series resumes tomorrow afternoon with potential Cy Young candidates Josh Beckett and Chien-Ming Wang the probable starters.
Okajima started the eighth and gave up home runs to Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano to make the score 7-4. He walked Melky Cabrera and Johnny Damon followed with a double up the gap in left to put runners on second and third with no outs. Papelbon relieved and Derek Jeter fought off an inside fastball and looped it to right to score Cabrera and put the tying runs on base. Bobby Abreu followed with a booming double off the wall in center field, just missing a homer and both runners scored to tie the game. A-Rod followed with a line single to left center to put the Yankees ahead 8-7.
The Yankees had an opportunity in the first inning with the bases loaded vs. Dice-K and only one out but could not score. The Red Sox got a run early and added another on an error from Giambi. In the fourth, the Yankees struck back for one but left runners on base again.
Andy Pettitte simply was not sharp all night and left after four with a high pitch count. He would surrender three more runs and left with his team behind 5-1. The Yankees closed to 5-2 but couldn't get any closer.
Jose Veras pitched well but had an opportunity to get out of an inning with no runs, but Jason Giambi dropped a throw from Abreu in right which would have doubled off Ortiz to end the inning. J.D. Drew followed with a hit and another run. The Red Sox would add another to make it seem safe until the Yankees erupted in the eighth.
The Yankees could not add any insurnace and Vizcaino pitched a scoreless eighth and Rivera saved the game in the ninth only surrendering a single to Drew.
The series resumes tomorrow afternoon with potential Cy Young candidates Josh Beckett and Chien-Ming Wang the probable starters.
Patrick wrote: