Boston Red Sox 2 — New York Yankees 14
Four home runs blasted the Yankees atop the American League in tonight’s 14-2 win over the Boston Red Sox.
Hiroki Kuroda got the call for the last game of the season and the game that would determine if the Yankees are the American League East champions and he pitched like a champion. Cody Ross brought in the first run of the game with a run-scoring single in the 1st inning but Ross would also end the inning when he was caught stealing. Kuroda would give up a total of 7 hits in his 7 innings of work. The second run Kuroda gave up in his start was in his last inning of work as shortstop Jose Iglesias brought in a run too. With the Yankees offense dominating, the bullpen had an easy night of work as Cody Eppley and Clay Rapada put together the 8th inning and Freddy Garcia got to get in an inning of work to finish the game.
Despite falling behind early 1-0, the Yankees didn’t take long to turn the game around. In the 2nd inning, a single and a walk would be a part of a 3-run home run by Curtis Granderson to put the Yankees ahead with a blast. The Yankees kept bringing out the big bats in the 3rd inning when Robinson Cano hit a 2-run home run with Alex Rodriguez on base to increase the lead. The Yankees were able to get into the bullpen after knocking Daisuke Matsuzaka out of the game after just 2.1 innings in his start. The home run in the 3rd inning was building on his big night as his third hit of the game would be another 2-run home run, in the 5th inning with Alex Rodriguez on base again. Cano’s 4th hit of the game came with the bases loaded as he hit a single into right field to bring in 2 runs to complete a 4 for 4, 6 RBI night. Curtis Granderson would also have an impressive night as he would lead off the 7th inning with his second home run of the night to complete his 4 RBI night. Ichiro Suzuki would bring in 2 in the 5-run 7th inning as the Yankees piled on the usual rival Red Sox. The Yankees were 5 for 13 with runners in scoring position.
Despite Baltimore losing prior to the Yankees victory, the Yankees did their part and earned the American League East title as well as the best record in the American League, ensuring home-field advantage.
Win – Hiroki Kuroda (16-11)
Loss – Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-7)
Notables
Red Sox
*Cody Ross – 2 for 3, RBI (81)
*Pedro Ciriaco – 2 for 3, R, 2B
Yankees
*Robinson Cano – 4 for 4, 3 R, BB, 2 2-Run Home Runs (33) in the 3rd & 5th, 6 RBI (94)
*Curtis Granderson – 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 HRs (43; 3-Run & Solo) in the 2nd & 7th, 4 RBI (106)
Final Yankees Record: 95-67
