G148: Yankees 8, Red Sox 7

There are people who think baseball is boring.

Yankees - 000 101 060 - 8 12 2
Red Sox - 011 302 000 - 7 13 2
  
Time of Game: 4:43

It was more than a bit odd that while Okajima melted down, Tito had only Papelbon up in the pen. Especially, since he went straight to Timlin in the 6th to put out a fire.

Jeemer came in with a 5-2 lead in the seventh and a man on base. Francona was managing the pen exactly right -- bringing in the best guys with the game on the line, completely ignoring what inning they have been "assigned" in the past. But he should have had another arm up -- MDC or Gagne -- alongside Bot.

It doesn't sound like Francona talked about this too much in the post-game interview (according to commenters). On a surface level, his explanation makes sense -- who would expect Jeemer and Bot to give up six runs before recording an out? Anyone wanna bet how long it'll be before that happens again?

But considering his decisions to call on with Timlin and Okajimna, I expected Francona to not be caught with his pants down in the eighth.

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Lineups are in comments.

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Andy Pettitte (3.78, 115 ERA+) / Daisuke Matsuzaka (4.44, 103 ERA+)