Boston Red Sox 1 — New York Yankees 4
The Japanese tandem of Ichiro Suzuki and Hiroki Kuroda play a big role in a 4-1 win over the Boston Red Sox.
Hiroki Kuroda built on his two-hit shutout of the Texas Rangers with 8 solid innings over the Red Sox. In the 8 innings, Kuroda produced 12 groundouts as kept the Red Sox in the park through 6 innings. The lone run that Kuroda gave up was a solo home run to Adrian Gonzalez in the 7th inning to the short porch. The Japanese right-hander hardly dealt with trouble as he allowed just 4 hits and induced all the groundouts needed to keep the defense active and reliable behind him. Rafael Soriano was called on for the 9th inning and his 31st save of the season.
Midseason acquisition, Ichiro Suzuki, was always reported to have home run power during batting practice and that if he could accurately predict a pitch, he could take it deep in-game. He must have been reading the mind of Josh Beckett, on a fastball in the 4th inning and a fastball in the 6th inning, the Japanese outfielder went deep into right field for his first multi-home run game as a Yankee. The Yankees offense got started early in the 1st inning as Derek Jeter started the game with a double, his first of 3 hits, and would score on a Curtis Granderson run-scoring double. Derek Jeter was a part of the 3rd inning scoring with another double. A Josh Beckett wild pitch following a double steal would bring in the Yankees shortstop but that was all they could score. With 1 out and the bases loaded in the 5th inning, the Yankees could not bring them in when Eric Chavez popped out on a 3-0 pitch and Raul Ibanez flew out to centerfield on a 2-0 pitch. Despite going 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the Yankees continue to stand their ground with the long ball as 2 of their 4 runs came on the home run.
Win – Hiroki Kuroda (12-8)
Loss – Josh Beckett (5-11)
Save – Rafael Soriano (31)
Notables
Red Sox
*Adrian Gonzalez – 1 for 4, R, Solo Home Run (15) in the 7th, RBI (85)
*Jarrod Saltalamacchia – 1 for 3
Yankees
*Ichiro Suzuki – 3 for 4, 2 R, 2 Solo Home Runs (7) in the 4th & 6th, 2 RBI (41)
*Derek Jeter – 3 for 4, 2 R, 2 2B
Current Yankees Record: 72-49
