New York Yankees 5 — Boston Red Sox 4
Curtis Granderson’s two home runs covered up a huge offensive flaw in tonight’s 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox.
David Phelps started tonight and gave the Yankees a good start. Through 5.2 innings, Phelps gave the Yankees 93 pitches and allowed just 1 run on 5 hits. The lone run allowed came in the 4th inning on a single by Red Sox first baseman, James Loney. Unlike many pitchers recently, Phelps was able to minimize the damage and hold the lead. Following the Loney single, Cody Ross grounded into a double play to end the inning. Phelps faced a big spot in the 5th inning when catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia opened it with a triple. Phelps would step up his game as he got a strikeout swinging, a pop out, and a strikeout looking to keep the runner stranded on 3rd. Phelps would induce one more double play in his final inning as he gave the Yankees a great opportunity to win. The collection of relievers made their appearance to put together the remainder of the game. Clay Rapada would get the final out in the 6th and Cody Eppley would get the first out in the 7th before a double and his exit to Boone Logan. The left-handed reliever wouldn’t get an out as he gave up a double. Joba Chamberlain would give up 2 of his inherited runners but the lead would hold. David Robertson would pitch in the 8th would get 2 outs before James Loney would double and Rafael Soriano would be called upon to get the final out of the 8th. With a 2-run lead, Jarrod Saltalamacchia opened the 9th inning with a home run to cut the lead in half. The tying run would reach on a deflected ball by Soriano but in an encore instance, the ball found Soriano once more but he was able to catch this one and get the final out of the game.
Curtis Granderson continues to do his best to silence critics. Tonight, after being unable to score a run off of starter Aaron Cook for 3 innings, Granderson opened the 4th inning with a home run to get the Yankees on the board. An Alex Rodriguez single, Robinson Cano hit a 2-run home run, his 30th of the season. Granderson wasn’t done with the long ball as he went deep for his second home run of the game, this time with Derek Jeter on base, to give the Yankees important runs needed to complete their win. The statistic that stands out is the inability to hit with runners in scoring position. This constantly poor statistic for the Yankees loomed large tonight, despite the win, as they were 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position and left a total of 10 on base. Had the Yankees been successful with runners in scoring position, this game would have been in more control than the score shows.
A notable play took place in the 8th inning when Derek Jeter grounded into a double play but came up limping. He would exit the game and it would be later announced that he had a bone bruise on his ankle but there is expectations that he will play on Thursday, as expected when it comes to The Captain.
The Baltimore Orioles win maintains a tie as leader of the American League East.
Win – David Phelps (4-4)
Loss – Aaron Cook (3-10)
Save – Rafael Soriano (37)
Notables
Yankees
*Curtis Granderson – 2 for 5, 2 R, 2 HRs (37; Solo & 2-Run) in the 4th & 7th, 3 RBI (89)
*Robinson Cano – 1 for 5, R, 2-Run Home Run (30) in the 4th, 2 RBI (77)
Red Sox
*Jarrod Saltalamacchia – 3 for 3, 2 R, BB, 2B, 3B, Solo Home Run (24) in the 9th, RBI (54)
*James Loney – 2 for 4, 2B, RBI (38)
Current Yankees Record: 80-62
