Boston Red Sox 3 New York Yankees 7 (May 10, 2006)

This Red Sox-Yankees matchup is brought to you by the letter J and the number 3.

Tonight's game began the same way as last night's, with one team taking a 2-0 lead on a home run in the first inning. Except tonight it was David Ortiz giving the visiting Red Sox the early lead. In the second, the homers continued - this time it was Mike Lowell, making it 3-0, Boston.

The 3rd sees the Yankees score; Jorge Pasada makes it home on a sacrifice fly by Bernie Williams. The next inning, Manny Ramirez and Ortiz made it to second and third, while a walk to Trot Nixon loaded the bases on two outs, bringing Jason Varitek to the plate. Varitek grounds out to 3B Alex Rodriguez (who tonight manages to make the easy catch), and the Red Sox leave theree stranded. In the fourth, Jason Giambi gets it done again tonight, tying the game 3-3 and getting his third career homer off Curt Schilling with no outs. After that, though, it's three quick and easy outs for Schilling.

In the 5th Alex Rodriguez gets a homer and gives the Yankees the lead. Then Hideki Matsui gets on board and Jorge Pasada sends it out of the park, making it 6-3 New York. All on two outs. Finally Schill finishes the fitfh, but the damage has been way done. The question now is whether the Sox can bounce back. For the night, Schilling threw 5 innings, allowing 8H, 6ER, and 3 HRs; he had 2 walks and 5 K's.

In the 6th, Mike Holtz, Boston's only lefty in the 'pen. He lets Johnny Damon get his first base hit against the Red Sox, and Holtz is done as it's 7-3, New York. Mike Timlin comes in and finishes things off. After 6.2 innings, Mussina has allowed 6H, 3ER, and 2 HRs; he allowed one walk and had 5 K's. He leaves after Mark Loretta singles; Mike Myers comes in, but yet again is unable to do his job, and Ortiz gets to first while Loretta moves to third. Myers is quickly taken out of the game, and Scott Proctor heads to the mound. Proctor quickly strikes out Ramirez.

Julian Tavarez comes in for the bottom of the 7th, the fourth Boston pitcher tonight. Alex Rodriguez immediately starts things off with a single, but Matsui grounds into a double play on a 2-2 count. Posada grounds out to Manny, and the inning's done.

In the meantime, Jerry Remy is thrilled that he managed to pronounce Geno Auriemma's name correctly. Can I just take a time-out to say how glad I am to watch this on NESN and not ESPN?

The top of the 8th is uneventful; on to the home half of the 8th. The bottom of the New York lineup comes around, starting off with Robinson Cano, who will face Jonathan Papelbon. Cano quickly grounds out; Bernie Williams does, as well. Bubba Crosby sends it out further, popping up to Manny. Now Boston is down to three outs, and we're facing Mariano Rivera.

This marks the first time that Papelbon and Rivera have appeared in the same game.

Willie Harris starts things off for Boston, or rather, quickly grounds out for Boston. Alex Gonzalez comes to the plate, grounds out back to Rivera. Down to our last out, and Kevin Youkilis flies out to right field. Now we move back into a virtual tie for first place (New York technically has first, with a slightly better win percentage, but tomorrow will erase the tie).

NESN Play of the Game: Two run homer for Jorge Pasada in the fifth.

Date
Wed 05/10/06, 6:02 pm EST