Sox Smash Yanks For Doubleheader Split

After pounding out an impressive 25 hits in the first two games of their weekend series against the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees were looking to make the Sox pitching staff miserable once again. Little did they know it would be the other way around, as the Red Sox dealt the Yankees a 9-5 beating in the night cap of the day-night doubleheader.

They started out strong in the first inning for the third straight game against the Sox, this time against Felix Doubront. Derek Jeter reaching on an error and Curtis Granderson bunting for a base hit preceded Mark Teixeira’s three run home run, their second three run first inning home run of the day.

Doubront settled down after the first, and Boston got within two runs in the bottom of the third when a Daniel Nava double play ball allowed Mauro Gomez to score and cut the Yankee lead to one against Phil Hughes in the fifth with a Nick Punto sacrifice fly.

With Doubront dealing, the Sox had an opening to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth, an opening they took advantage of. After loading the bases, Pedro Ciriaco sent a bases clearing double down the left field line, giving the Red Sox a 5-3 lead.

Andruw Jones pulled one back in the top of the seventh with his third home run of the day, a moon shot over the green monster in left, but the Yankees bullpen gave it right back with interest in the bottom of the inning.

In three consecutive at-bats Ryan Sweeney’s RBI triple put the Sox back up by two, Sweeney was immediately driven in by a Gomez double, and a Jayson Nix error allowed Mike Aviles, pinch running for Gomez, to score to make it a four run game.

The hideous inning continued for the Yankees as Ciriaco stole third, prompting Russell Martin to make an errant throw, allowing Ciriaco to score and further extend the Sox lead to 9-4, where the score remained until the top of the 9th when Eric Chavez blasted a solo shot that was simply too little, too late. Every run scored by the Yankees in the doubleheader was scored on a home run.

Player of the game: Pedro Ciriaco (3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, SB)

Ciriaco, in addition to his three hits and three runs batted in, made a number of impressive defensive plays for the Sox who were against the ropes in the early innings. He stabilized the club when they surely could have collapsed and allowed the Yankees to put together a huge lead.

“Good Job, Good Effort” Player of the Game: Corey Wade

2/3 of an inning, 3 hits, 3 runs (2 earned). Before he entered the game, the Yankees were well within striking distance. After he entered the game, they were down by five runs. Good job, good effort, Corey Wade.