The Yankees (92-67) put a beating on the Boston Red Sox (69-91) in the opening game of the final regular season series on Monday night. The Yankees erupted for 9 runs in the second inning, shellacking Clay Bucholz and Alfredo Aceves.

In the bottom of the second inning Robinson Cano got things started leading off the inning with a solo blast into Monument Park in dead center field putting the Yankees up 1-0. It was Cano’s 31st of the season. After Nick Swisher singled, Curtis Granderson drilled a two run home run of his own putting the Yanks up 3-0. It was Granderson’s 41st of the season.  The next batter Russell Martin then hit yet another Yankee home run putting the Yanks up 5-0. It was Martin’s 21st.

The Yankees weren’t done in the inning. Bucholz then walked Eric Chavez, walked Derek Jeter and allowed Ichiro to reach on a single loading the bases for Alex Rodriguez who hit a deep RBI sac-fly scoring another Yankee run. The next batter Robinson Cano who started things in the inning drilled a two run double putting the Yankees up 7-0 and finally knocking Bucholz out of the game.

Alfredo Aceves came on in relief and the first batter he faced Mark Teixeira drilled a two run homer to right field putting the Yanks up 9-0! It was Teixeira’s 24th of the season. It was only the third time in Yankees history they have hit 4 home runs in one inning.

The 8 earned runs Clay Bucholz allowed were a career high. Bucholz become the first Red Sox starter to allow 8 earned runs to the Yankees in less than 2 innings pitched.

C.C. Sabathia was solid in his outing going eight innings giving up two runs on four hits and struck out seven.  The win puts him at 15-6.

The Yankees scored their 10th run in the eighth inning when Melky Mesa picked up his first career hit, a RBI single off of Andrew Bailey.

The Baltimore Orioles (92-68) lost to the Tampa Bay Rays (89-71) 5-3 on Monday night, giving the Yankees a 1 game lead in the AL East with 2 games to play.

The Yankees will play the Red Sox again on Tuesday night. Jon Lester (9-14 4.94) goes for the Boston Red Sox while David Phelps (4-4 3.34) will get the start for the Yankees. Pregame coverage begins at 6:30, first pitch at 7:05 right here on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.

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