With the Yankees leading 4-2 with the bases loaded, Mariano Rivera caught the MLB’s leading hitter, Adrian Gonzalez, looking on a called strike three on the outside edge to take 2 out of 3 in Fenway Park.
Tonight was full of stories as A.J. Burnett took the mound after months of poor outings and needed a good start against the AL East leader. Also, the hitting prospect that fans have heard about was finally going to make his debut and against the Red Sox too.
Jesus Montero started tonight’s series finale as the designated hitter in the lineup. He had many opportunities to win the hearts of Yankees fans with one swing of the bat. He struck out with the bases loaded, flew out to right with one on, and grounded out with runners on the corners. His last at-bat was a fly out but his biggest impact was not made with his bat as he was hit by a pitch and eventually was one of the three runs to score in the 7th inning that gave them the lead.
A.J. Burnett threw 3 scoreless innings before giving up a two-run home run to Dustin Pedroia. Outside of this home run, Burnett pitched better than he had pitched in months. He gave the Yankees 5.1 innings and just 2 runs on 5 hits. The expectation are high when you wear the pinstripes and this start may have helped earn him another opportunity but only time will tell what decisions are made.
Russell Martin drove in two of the three runs that gave the Yankees their lead in the 7th with a double. The Yankees offense worked one of the best left handed pitchers in the game, Jon Lester, from getting deep into the game with an elevated pitch count that ended at 114 through 5 innings.
Jesus Montero didn’t have a breakout night but the career of this 21-year old is young and there will be plenty of time to see what he’s truly made of. Yankees fans will be pleased to get a taste of what they can only hope to be a long and successful career.
Ryan Nakada
@adakannayr
