Yankees - 203 003 000 - 8 14 1 Red Sox - 000 005 000 - 5 7 1The Red Sox made some noise in the sixth inning, but for most of this game, their bats were once again quiet as they were swept by the Yankees. Boston loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth on two walks and an infield error - and had David Ortiz at the plate as the potential winning run. Big Papi fell behind 0-2 against Andrew Miller, worked the count back to 2-2, and lined out to center.
Jacoby Ellsbury caught the game-ending fly ball. He also reached base six times - four singles, a walk, and a HBP - but the big hits came from three of his teammates. Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer in the first, Brian McCann doubled home two runs in the third, and Brett Gardner hit a three-run blast into the visitors bullpen. Joe Kelly (4.2-9-5-0-3, 97) did not get out of the fifth inning.
Yankees starter Adam Warren (5.2-4-4-2-2, 100) retired the first two batters in the Boston sixth, but Dustin Pedroia lined a single to left. Ortiz doubled off the Wall and Pedroia scored. Hanley Ramirez was hit by a pitch (and seemed to think it was intentional). Pablo Sandoval - who had ended a potential rally in the fourth by grounding out on an 3-0 pitch - singled home a run. Esmil Rogers took over pitching duties for New York - and Mike Napoli greeted him with a three-run dong to left. Gardner appeared to think he had a chance at catching it, but it fell into the first row of Monster seats. Rogers then walked Daniel Nava and couldn't handle Xander Bogaerts's dribbler down the third base line. It didn't seem possible, but the Red Sox were bringing the potential tying run to the plate. It was Blake Swihart who had begun the frame by lining to left. This time, he struck out. (Boston had five of its seven hits in this inning.)
The Yankees left the bases loaded in both the eighth and ninth innings.
In the ninth, facing the lefty Miller, pinch-hitter Allen Craig walked. Miller struck out Bogaerts and Swihart, but battled Mookie Betts for nine pitches, before Betts walked. Pedroia's grounder was bobbled by Chase Headley and his throw was wide of first. That loaded the bases for Ortiz, but the man who has been the hero so many times in the past could not come through as the clock struck midnight.
Betts, CF
Pedroia, 2B
Ortiz, DH
Ramirez, LF
Sandoval, 3B
Napoli, 1B
Nava, RF
Bogaerts, SS
Swihart, C
The last few games I've been checking in every inning or so on GDGD--and that check-in is about all my fragile heart can take.
ReplyDeleteBut I know that next day ("next day" so far--I take nothing for granted and remember your own doubts about what you might be able or not to give JOS this year) you'll have an unemotional, clear, concise summary of the game that I can bear to read, and that's very much appreciated.
ReplyDeletejohngoldfine said.
"But I know that next day you'll have an unemotional, clear, concise summary of the game that I can bear to read, and that's very much appreciated"
+1