Boston Red Sox 8 — New York Yankees 2
The regular season is officially under way in today’s 8-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox.
CC Sabathia is the ace of the Yankees pitching staff and got the start today. After a strong first inning that featured two strikeouts, a walk of Jarrod Saltalamacchia started trouble in the second inning. Jonny Gomes singled and rookie outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. walked for his first of three today to load the bases.
Shortstop Jose Iglesias hit a ball to the right of shortstop Eduardo Nunez and the speed of Bradley Jr. was too much as a run would score on Nunez’s attempt to get a force at second base. Kevin Youkilis, at first base today, would prevent one run from scoring with a force out at home before Shane Victorino and Dustin Pedroia would succeed with runners on. Victorino brought in two runs and Pedroia brought in one.
In the fourth inning, Kevin Youkilis got the Yankees offense going with a double to left field. Vernon Wells would walk and Ichiro Suzuki got a single to load the bases and give the Yankees a good scoring opportunity. Francisco Cervelli got the start today at catcher and came through offensively, bringing in two runs to cut the deficit in half.
In five innings, Sabathia gave up four runs on eight hits, four walks, and five strikeouts. Jon Lester bested Sabathia with five innings of two-run baseball on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.
David Phelps, the fifth starter in the rotation, made a relief appearance in today’s game and faced instant trouble with a leadoff triple by Jacoby Ellsbury in the sixth inning. Three groundouts would help Phelps escape this predicament without adding to the difference.
With the Yankees trailing by three in the ninth inning, Joba Chamberlain was called upon and the result seemed awfully similar to the second inning. Jarrod Saltalamacchia would reach on a walk, Jonny Gomes singled to left, and Jackie Bradley Jr. walked again to load the bases with just one out. Jacoby Ellsbury hit a single to right to bring in two runs and Shane Victorino would bring in one more run, increasing their lead to six.
Win – Jon Lester (1-0)
Loss – CC Sabathia (0-1)
Notables
Red Sox
*Jose Iglesias – 3 for 5, R, RBI (1)
*Shane Victorino – 2 for 6, 3 RBI (3)
Yankees
*Francisco Cervelli – 1 for 3, BB, 2 RBI (2)
*Kevin Youkilis – 1 for 4, R, 2B
Current Yankees Record: 0-1
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