Friday Night Lights: Sabathia vs. Verlander

A wild night of baseball ended moments ago when Robert Andino doubled off of Jonathan Papelbon with two outs in the 9th to give the Orioles a come from behind 4-3 win over Boston. Just minutes later, Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria lined a home run off the Yankees' Scott Proctor in the 12th inning to give the Rays an 8-7 victory and the AL wild card berth. Not only did the Rays come from 9.5 games back to overtake the Red Sox, but they overcame a 7-0 deficit to the Yankees Wednesday night to do it. Dan Johnson homered off Cory Wade in the 9th to tie the game at 7-7.

The Red Sox were one out and one strike away from victory when Papelbon gave up an RBI double to Nolan Reimold to tie the game. Then Andino continued to be the Red Sox nemesis - he had a three run double off Papelbon in Boston and a three run inside-the-park home run the other night - with the game winner.

In the NL, St. Louis jumped all over Houston's Brett Myers in the first inning and went on to an easy 8-0 win. They then captured the NL wild card when Atlanta blew a 3-2 lead in the 9th and lost in 13 innings.

Back to the AL, the Tigers defeated the Indians, but the Rangers did the same to the Angels to capture the #2 seed. Former Angel Mike Napoli hit two home runs against his former teammates for the second straight night.

So Friday night it is CC Sabathia against Justin Verlander at 8:37 EDT. Game 2 follows on Saturday with Ivan Nova facing Doug Fister. Game 3 will be one of the triumverate of Freddy Garcia, A.J. Burnett, and Bartolo Colon going against Max Scherzer, and if a Game 4 is necessary, the Yankees will likely bring back Sabathia on three days rest against Rick Porcello. If the series goes five, Nova will match up with Verlander to decide it all.

Let the games begin.

Bing Bang Boom Boston

Jonathan Papelbon blew an out number three-strike three fastball past a swinging Alex Rodriguez with a man aboard and two out in the 9th tonight, but the game between the Yankees and Red Sox was over in the 1st inning.

Boston jumped all over Freddy Garcia, who had the second shortest outing of his career en route to a 6-4 victory. Jon Lester was effective enough over six innings to earn his eighth win in 10 decisions and he got plenty of run support early.

Garcia had nothing and the Red Sox took advantage. Jacoby Ellsbury led off the ball game with his seventh home run of the season. Garcia then walked Dustin Pedroia before Adrian Gonzalez drilled a pitch to the gap in right-center for a triple and his league leading 51st RBI. Kevin Youkilis' sacrifice fly made it a 3-0 game before the sell out crowd had barely settled into their seats.

The Yankees mounted an immediate threat against Lester, but paid a price at the same time. Curtis Granderson drew a one out walk to start the 1st before Lester drilled Mark Teixeira in the right knee. The big 1st baseman had to be helped off the field by Joe Girardi and Tony Pena and was taken for x-rays, which were negative. The Yankees will know more on Teixeira's condition tomorrow. Lester got Alex Rodriguez to bounce into a fielder's choice, but Robinson Cano delivered a two otu single to get the Yankees on the board. Lester than plunked Russell Martin on the right knee, luckily without the same velocity that felled Teixeira. Nick Swisher had a chance to tie the game, but bounced out for the final out of the inning.

When Garcia gave up a two out RBI double to Pedroia in the 2nd inning, Girardi had seen enough and sent for Luis Ayala. Hector Noesi came on in the 3rd inning and pitched the remainder of the ball game. The rookie was effective, but did allow a 2-run home run to David Ortiz shortly after an inside pitch threw the DH off balance. Seemingly in defiance, Ortiz fired his bat towards the Red Sox dugout after connecting on the home run, drawing a loud chorus of boos from the hometown crowd.

The Yankees had a chance in the 9th against closer Jonathan Papelbon when Brett Gardner reached on a walk, took second on defensive indifference, and scored on Jorge Posada's RBI single. But the big showdown of Rodriguez, who had previously homered twice off Papelbon, and the Red Sox closer ended with a Boston victory.

Notes

Jorge Posada's three hit night included his first two hits from the right side of the plate.

Hector Noesi's six innings were a career high.

Derek Jeter had two hits and now needs 12 for 3,000.

Bobby Jenks, just off the DL, had to leave the game after his back stiffened up against the first batter he faced.

FullCountPitch - The Closer Goes To The Movies

Baseball has progressed over the last few decades from starting pitchers going the distance to a closer entering the game as early as the 7th inning to a one inning job. (Occassionally entering the game in the 8th inning). For the most part, there is the one go-to guy on each squad, but this season a number of closers have struggled, causing their teams to use replacement closers or closer by committee. Let’s take a look at how each “last man standing” has held up so far in 2011.

Click here to read the rest of this free article.


Mariano Rivera Jonathan Papelbon Heath Bell Jonathan Broxton Ryan FranklinKevin Gregg Francisco Rodriguez Joakim Soria Huston Street.

Hughes Fastball Still MIA

If you happen to see a baseball wandering around your neighborhood at about 92-93 mph, please call the local authorities. Do NOT try to apprehend the baseball yourself. We don't know why the known fastball has abandoned its owner-Phil Hughes- but pitching coach Larry Rothschild better find out in a hurry.

After a tremendous first half last season, Hughes struggled in the second half, primarily because of the lack of location. Now, the question of location is where is the velocity on his fastball? Just as in his prior start against Detroit, Hughes' teammates put runs on the board, but he couldn't keep them in the lead as his fastball resembled Javier Vazquez's. He lasted just two innings, and was yanked after he allowed five runs to the Boston Red Sox in the second inning to put his squad behind 6-3.

The Yankees rallied to tie the game before the Red Sox scored three runs off of Bartolo Colon and Boone Logan and fell 9-6. The victory was the first of the season for Boston, which had lost its first six games. Boston starter John Lackey fared no better than his counterpart, allowing six runs in five innings, but earned the victory. In his two starts, Lackey has allowed 15 earned runs in 8.2 innings pitched.

Hughes entered the bottom of the 2nd inning with a 3-1 lead thanks to a 2-run Robinson Cano dobule and an RBI double by Brett Gardner. But Boston loaded the bases on three straight singles with no out to start their half of the 2nd frame. A Marco Scutaro ground out scored one run, but Hughes looked like he might get out of trouble when he got Carl Crawford to bounce out for the second out of the inning. Dustin Pedroia, who homered in the 1st, had other things in mind and lined a 2-run single to center for a 4-3 Boston lead.

Pedroia moved to 2nd base on a Curtis Granderson throwing error and came home on an RBI single by Adrian Gonzalez. After Hughes walked Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz brought home the final run of the inning with a single. Hughes probably would have been pulled then, but Youkilis was caught in between 2nd and 3rd and was eventually tagged out by Alex Rodriguez to end the inning.

The Yankees got single runs in the 2nd through 5th innings, including a solo home run by Rodriguez, but failed to score against the Boston bullpen. Former Yankee Al Aceves made his Red Sox debut and was followed by Bobby Jenks, Daniel Bard, and Jonathan Papelbon.

BD Spring Training Report: Is There A Fireman In The House? | Baseball Digest

Brian Wilson is one of the handful of closers with a secure job.

BD Spring Training Report: Is There A Fireman In The House? | Baseball Digest

There are some things that are certain when it comes to baseball’s closer role. Mariano Rivera will be on the hill for the Yankees, Brian Wilson will toe the rubber in San Francisco, but some decisions are not clear cut when it comes to filling the role of baseball fireman.

Case in point, the Minnesota Twins where Joe Nathan is coming back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent back in March, 2010. Feeling healthy, Nathan proclaimed he was taking role his back from trade deadline acquisition Matt Capps. He recently told Kelly Thiesier of MLB.com that he’s pleased with his progress thus far. “The command has really been a pleasant surprise to this point, and I can’t ask for much more than what’s gone on out there now as far as life on the ball, movement on the ball, sharpness and stuff. Just keep moving forward and keep trying to improve and build arm strength, and I’ll be ready for April 1. I’m happy, very happy with how things feel right now.”

Seattle’s David Aardsma was a subject of trade rumors soon after the 2010 season ended, but then underwent hip surgery. He has yet to be cleared to throw which means he won’t be ready for opening day. Erratic set up man Brandon League is the favorite to fill the role, while former Orioles’ closer Chris Ray and reliever Manny Delcarmen are auditioning as well.

Jonathan Papelbon is the Red Sox closer to start the season, but the front office isn’t totally happy with the him or his $12MM salary. With former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks and closer in training Daniel Bard on the squad, the Red Sox could move Papelbon before the trade deadline.

Leo Nunez is the incumbent closer for the Florida Marlins, but by no means is his job safe. Should Nunez falter, Clay Hensley is more than willing to grab the job.

Brandon Lyon is the projected closer for the Astros. That doesn’t say too much for the Houston bullpen.

Fernando Rodney will start the season as the Angels closer, but anyone who has seen him pitch for LA (AL) or Detroit knows that may not last. Free agent pick up Scott Downs should definitely get some save opportunities as he did in Toronto.

The Orioles have Kevin Gregg as the early favorite for closer, but could go back to Koji Uehara who did a fine job when placed in the role late last season.

Texas has yet to decide whether or not to keep 2010 AL Rookie of the Year Neftali Feliz in the closer’s role or move him to the starting rotation. Beat writer Anthony Andro tweeted on Monday that Rangers’ GM Jon Daniels is expected to make a decision around March 22.

Clint Hurdle has named Joel Hanrahan as the Pirates closer to start the season, but give Hanrahan’s erratic performance as closer with Pittsburgh and Washington (in 2008), Hurdle could turn to Evan Meek.

The Atlanta Braves are looking for a closer after Billy Wagner retired following the 2010 season. Craig Kimbrel, Pete Moylan, George Sherrill, Scott Linebrink, and Jonny Venters are all getting a look. It’s possible new manager Fredi Gonzalez will open with a closer by committee.

Tampa Bay lost a number of players to free agency including closer Rafael Soriano. Joe Maddon, like Gonzalez, may go with a committee at first until he can pick a clear cut closer. Rookie Jake McGeeimpressed Maddon immediately when he came out and said he wanted the job. Now he has to back it up.Kyle Farnsworth, Juan Cruz, Joel Peralta, Adam Russell, Chris Archer, and Cesar Ramos are among the pitchers looking for roles in the Tampa pen. Farnsworth is the only one with closing experience in the majors.

The Blue Jays shook up their bullpen and now must choose between three pitchers with closer experience- Frank Francisco (the favorite), Jon Rauch, and Octavio Dotel.

In non-closer news, Zack Greinke’s Milwaukee Brewers’ debut is on hold and the Brewers front office can’t be happy about it.Greinke fell hard to the floor while playing pick up basketball the first week of spring training and fractured a rib.

BD Hot Stove: Galarraga’s Strange Journey Continues | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: Galarraga’s Strange Journey Continues | Baseball Digest

The hot stove is coming to you a little later today and a hot stove is really needed since it was below zero in the northeast today. It’s been a strange stretch of time for Armando Galarraga over the last seven months. On June 2 last year Galarraga was robbed of a perfect game by the very imperfect call of umpire Jim Joyce. Hugs, tearfests, ovations followed…yada yada yada.

One week ago Galarraga and the Tigers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one year, $2.3M contract. The very next day the Tigers designated Galarraga for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Brad Penny. Today, Galarraga was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-hander Kevin Eichhorn and lefty Ryan Robowski.

Galaragga will probably get a chance to compete for the Diamondbacks final spot in the rotation with second year man Barry Enright and Aaron “I want to be a starter again” Heilman. Eichorn was a third round pick by the Dbacks in 2008 and played primarily in rookie ball last season. He averaged nearly a strikeout per inning, but surrendered 12 home runs and gave up more hits than innings pitched. Robowski put up similar numbers for High Single-A Visalia last season after being selected in the 16th round out of Ohio Dominican University in 2009.

The Diamondbacks also brought back pitcher Micah Owings, who some feel would be better as a full time hitter at this point. Owings showed promise a rookie in 2007, posting an 8-8, 4.30 mark in 27 starts and a pair of relief appearances. But his command got worse the following season, so the Dbacks shipped him to the Reds in September as the PTBNL in the Adam Dunn deal. This past October he was granted free agency after two poor seasons with the Reds. As for his hitting, Owings had 4 HR and 15 RBI as a rookie and has a .293 lifetime batting average and an .861 OPS. Perhaps it’s time to pick up a fielder’s glove or become an AL DH.

One more Diamondbacks note – Rafael Rodriguez acquired in July’s trade deadline Dan Haren deal, was DFA’ed to make room for Galarraga on the Arizona 40-man roster.

The Rockies signed outfielder Willy Taveras to a minor league deal. Taveras played for Colorado from 2007-2008.

The Nationals have added pitcher Todd Coffey with a one year deal. Coffey was non-tendered by the Brewers in December.

Per Jon Heyman, the Rangers have re-opened talks with Vlad Guerrero.

Over the weekend the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo reported that the Red Sox will be willing to deal Jonathan Papelbon at any point before or during the season. Papelbon will earn $12M in 2011.

Red Sox Inch Past Yankees

Baseball is a game of inches. We've heard it a thousand times and it was never truer than this afternoon. Marcus Thames' 7th inning drive came within inches of being a game tying 2-run blast. Instead, the Yankees ended up stranding the bases loaded and the Boston Red Sox went on to a 2-1 win in the series finale.

Thames followed Jorge Posada's lead off single with a fly to right-center that hit the very top of the wall and bounced back into play for a double. Red Sox starter Jon Lester then hit Austin Kearns to load the bases. But that's where all the good came to an end. Lester struck out Curtis Granderson and Daniel Bard came on to blow away Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher to escape the threat.

Phil Hughes struggled in the early going, throwing 57 pitches in the 1st two innings alone, but settled down thereafter. Bill Hall gave the Red Sox a 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning with an RBI single and J.D. Drew added an RBI ground out later in the frame.

Lester was masterful and held the Yankees hitless until Kearns' single with one out in the 5th. The Yankees finally got on the board in the 8th when Mark Teixeira continued his hot second half with a deep blast off of Daniel Bard. to halve the lead. But the Yankees left two more aboard in the inning when Bard retired pinch-hitter Lance Berkman on a pop up and closer Jonathan Papelbon got Kearns on an inning ending ground out. Papelbon then struck out Swisher and Teixeira with Jeter representing the tying run at 2nd base in the 9th.

Notes

Teams continue to steal on the Yankees pitchers and catcher Jorge Posada. The Red Sox stole six bases, including a franchise tying four by Jacoby Ellsbury.

Yankees Blast Their Way to Victory

The Yankees won, they lost, they won again. It was a crazy night in the Bronx this evening as the Yankees rolled Dice-K, watched their bullpen get pounded, and then saw Alex Rodriguez and Marcus Thames take Jonathan Papelbon deep for an 11-9 Yankees win.

The Yankees led 6-1 before Phil Hughes ran out of gas and Boone Logan and Chan Ho Park turned the lead into a 9-7 deficit. As the bottom of the 9th inning started, YES commentator John Flaherty mentioned that Papelbon had pitched two and one-third innings on Saturday and may not have his best fastball. His words were prescient.

Brett Gardner started the inning with a double that sliced under a sliding Darnell McDonald in left field. After Mark Teixeira flied out to deep center, Rodriguez hit a no mistake about it home run to center to tie the game at nine apiece.

Papelbon put the winning run on base by plunking Francisco Cervelli and then served up a fat first pitch fastball to Thames, who drilled into the left field seats for the game winner. Needless to say there was pandemonium on and off the field. It also resulted in the first walk off pie of the season as A.J. Burnett delivered a spot on facial to an unsuspecting (well, not totally unsuspecting) Thames.


The most ironic part of the night though may have been the winning pitcher. It was none other than Javier Vazquez who came on and struck out Kevin Youkilis to end the top of the 9th inning.

The Yankees had jumped all over Datsuke Matsuzaka for five runs in the first inning, which included a pair of RBI for Rodriguez and one for Thames. But down 6-1, the Red Sox started chipping away.

David Ortiz hit a solo shot in the 4th and an inning later J.D. Drew blasted a 3-run home run off Hughes to cut the Yankees lead to a single run. A gassed Hughes got the final out of the 5th, but was done after 105 pitches.

Thames' RBI double in the bottom of the 5th put the Yankees back up by a pair of runs, but Victor Martinez's answered back with a solo home run off Boone Logan in the 6th.

With a shortened bullpen, Chan Ho Park had to go two innings and it caught up to him in the 8th. First, Youkilis put the Red Sox on top for the first time with a 2-run home run. Then Martinez made it back to back shots and home runs from each side of the plate when he drove Park's delivery into the night.

It appeared the Yankees might be done, but Damaso Marte and Vazquez quieted things down before the Yankees bats got Yankee Stadium rocking again.

Notes

As expected, Ivan Nova was optioned to Scranton to make room on the roster for Park.

Joba Chamberlain was unavailable because he warmed up two different times on Saturday in addition to pitching on Sunday.

Hey Now Your'e An All-Star

So after sitting through part or all, or none for that matter, of last night's horrendous HR Derby, tonight Fox will do it's best to ruin an easy to ruin event - the All-Star game. The game is dull no matter how you slice it, but when you add the idiots from Fox to the mix, it's barely tolerable.

Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Mariano Rivera, David Wright, and K-Rod are the locals involved, with all the on-closers starting at their respective positions. Marc Carig of the Star Ledger has a nice feature in today's paper on Jeter's longevity and making the All-Star team at 35, which Jeter considers young.

If you remember last year, big mouth Jon Papelbon caused controversy by saying that he, not Mo, should pitch the 9th inning in the game. This year, Pap has wised up and said Mo is da man.

"To me, there's no doubt in my mind that Mo should close," Papelbon said. "Do I want to close? Of course. Am I going to get to? Probably not. I'm going to go into (manager) Joe Maddon's office and say, 'When you want me, I'll be in the bullpen ready to pitch.'"

Rivera laughed after being told of Papelbon's comment.

"Jonathan is a great guy," Rivera said. "He has his own mind, but he means well."

Starting lineups for tonight:

AL - Evan Longoria was scratched due to a finger infection, so the lineup may change

RF Ichiro
SS Derek Jeter
C Joe Mauer
1B Mark Teixeira
LF Jason Bay
CF Josh Hamilton
3B Michael Young
2B Aaron Hill
P Roy Halladay


NL

SS Hanley Ramirez
2B Chase Utley
1B Albert Pujols
RF Ryan Braun
LF Raul Ibanez
3B David Wright
CF Shane Victorino
C Yadier Molina
P Tim Lincecum

Papelbon Pitching for a New Deal?

Red Sox' closer Jonathan Papelbon was on Sirius radio yesterday with Jody McDonald and made a pitch for a new long term deal. The Sox closer can be a free agent in 2011 and told Jody Mac he wasn't adverse to playing anywhere, even the Bronx. This info from Andrew Fitzpatrick of Sirius:

Host, Jody McDonald: “If you couldn’t work out a contract with the Red Sox before free agency comes up and you eventually become a free agent, is the Bronx ever a possibility?”

Jonathan Papelbon: “Oh, of course. I mean, I think if we can’t come to an agreement on terms here in a Red Sox uniform, I mean, I think that’s pretty much the writing on the wall. If they can’t come to terms with you they’re letting you know that, ‘Hey you know what? We can go somewhere else.’ And I think it’s the same way on the other side, ‘Hey if ya’ll can’t come to an agreement with me then I can go somewhere else.’ Not only in the Bronx, but anywhere. I think anywhere is a possibility. You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can’t just be one-sided and think that, ‘Oh I’m going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career.’ Because nowadays that is very, very rare and hopefully we can because there’s no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform but I have to do what’s best for me and play in an atmosphere where I’m wanted and play on a team where I’m wanted and that’s all I can really say about that, you know?”

Now, you know Papelbon is throwing the Yankees out there to get his home fans riled up and to get the Sox front office off the dime for a new big money contract. The chances of him ending up in New York are quite slim.

Fenway Failure

Yankees in Fenway - Fail

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: al aceves • Alex Rodriguez • brad penny • cc sabathia • dustin pedroia • Jason Bay • Jonathan • Kevin Youkilis • melky cabrera • Mike Lowell • Papelbon • Yankees 6/11 recap • Yankees vs. Red Sox

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0		3	10	1
Boston	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	X		4	8	0

WP - Saito (1-0) SV - Papelbon (16) LP - Sabathia (5-4)

When Nick Green singled off CC Sabathia to start the 8th inning last night, an ominous sense came over me. The feeling got stronger when Sabathia couldn’t put away Dustin Pedroia, after being ahead of him 1-2, and ended up walking him in a 10-pitch at-bat. The feeling became overwhelming when Joe Girardi left an obviously cooked Sabathia in the game. The end result was a 4-3 Red Sox win and a 2-game Sox lead in the AL East. It also gave Boston victories in all eight games the two teams have played this season.

The Yankees had rallied from a one run deficit to take a 3-1 lead in the 7th. Francisco Cervelli doubled down the left field line to score Melky Cabrera from first base with the tying run. Four batters later Alex Rodriguez ripped a 2-run double to the gap in left-center off Manny DelCarmen to give the Bombers their only lead of the night.

But things fell apart for Sabathia in the 8th. He had pitched an outstanding game, having just allowed a solo home run to David Ortiz (Yes, Papi did take a curtain call) in the 2nd inning. But as YES announcer John Flaherty prematurely praised Sabathia’s game, things went to pieces for the big left-hander. After Green and Pedroia walked, Sabathia hung an 0-1 breaking pitch to J.D. Drew. The right fielder laced it into center field for a run scoring single to cut the Sox deficit to one. Girardi finally pulled his starter after 123 pitches and sent for the normally reliable Al Aceves. He was anything but reliable last night.

Kevin Youkilis greeted Aceves will a soft single to right to load the bases with no one out and Jason Bay followed with a line drive to left that short hopped Johnny Damon for a game tying single. The Yankees lack of arms in the outfield hurt them on the very next play when Mike Lowell lofted a fly ball to medium left-center field. Take your pick, center fielder Brett Gardner or the even weaker armed Damon. Gardner made the catch and made a throw that was nowhere near home plate nor had any zip on it.

Just like that, Boston had the lead back. Jonathan Papelbon retired the side in order in the 9th, with Mark Teixeira making the only noise- a line out to Youkilis to end the game.

Game Notes

Red Sox’ starter Brad Penny hit Alex Rodriguez in the lower back with a pitch in the 1st inning. After all four umpires conferred, both sides were given a warning. If the umpires felt Penny had purposely thrown at A-Rod he should have been tossed from the game. Otherwise, no warning should have been issued until the Yankees had the chance for some payback.

Nick Swisher deserves to be benched for tonight’s opener with the Mets. One night after being doubled off first base on a soft liner hit right in front of him, Swisher was doubled off second base on a fly ball to the wall in left. Both plays killed potential rallies.

Chien-Ming Wang will get one more start and Girardi will take things from there. The Wanger is set to face the Florida Marlins on Wednesday.

The current Red Sox joined the 1912 Red Sox and 1990 A’s as the only teams to win their first eight games in a season against the Yankees.

The first part of the Subway Series starts tonight at Yankee Stadium. The Mets are coming off a series loss to their division rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies.

There'll Be No Joy in Taiwan Tonight

Yankees Can’t Avoid Fenway Flop

June 10th, 2009 • Related • Filed Under

Filed Under: Yankees

Tags: chien-ming wang • Hideki Okajima • Johnny Damon • Jonathan Papelbon • Kevin Youkilis • Mark Teixeira • nick swisher • Phil Hughes • Tim Wakefield • Yankees 6/10 recap • Yankees vs. Red Sox

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
NY Yankees	0	1	0	1	1	0	2	0	0		5	11	0
Boston	1	2	1	2	0	0	0	0	X		6	9	0

WP - Wakefield (8-3) SV - Papelbon (15) LP - Wang (0-4)

Another game in Fenway Park, another loss for the New York Yankees. The Bombers dropped to 0-7 against the Red Sox this season, with five of the losses coming on the road in Boston. Wednesday night the Yankees belted three home runs, but couldn’t overcome another horrendous start by Chien-Ming Wang, and fell 6-5. The victory gave the Red Sox sole possession of first place in the AL East.

In Wang’s start against Texas last Thursday he showed a glimmer of his old self, shutting down the Rangers the first time through the lineup. That would not be the case tonight. Wang retired Dustin Pedroia to start the game, but then issued a pair of walks prior to a Jason Bay RBI single. The Yankees tied things up immediately on Jorge Posada’s home run off Tim Wakefield in the 2nd, but the Red Sox tagged Wang for a pair of runs in their half of the inning. George Kottaras doubled in one run and Nick Swisher gave Pedroia a gift when he turned a catchable ball into a run scoring ground-rule double. Wang lasted just 2.2 innings, the second straight night the Yankees starter did not make it out of the 3rd inning, and was charged with 4 earned runs.

Phil Hughes did a great job out of the pen with 3.2 innings of relief. He allowed a 2-run home run to Kevin Youkilis in the 4th, but otherwise kept his team in the game. Down 6-3 in the 6th, Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira hit back to back home runs off Ramon Ramirez to cut the deficit to a single run. The Yankees had the tying run on second base with one out in each of the final two innings, but couldn’t deliver the big hit.

Hideki Okajima struck out Derek Jeter and Damon to escape the 8th and Jonathan Papelbon struck out Robinson Cano and retired Jorge Posada on a ground out to preserve the lead in the 9th.

Game Notes

Mark Teixiera was 4-5 with two doubles and a single in addition to his league leading 19th home run. He’s hitting a season high .296 and is batting .343 since May 1st.

Nick Swisher made a tremendous diving catch in right field to take away an extra base hit and had a pretty push bunt for a base hit, but it’s a game he’ll want to forget. Besides completely missing Pedroia’s fly ball in right, he was also doubled off of a first on a soft line out to shortstop by Melky Cabrera. The Yankees had runners on the corners with no one out at the time, so it completely killed a potential rally.

The Yankees were 2-15 with runners in scoring position.

CC Sabathia will try to salvage the finale of the series Thursday night when he faces veteran Brad Penny.