BRONX, N.Y. — After unveiling shiny new toy Randy Johnson in an opening night victory on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, the New York Yankees continued to take out their frustrations on the Boston Red Sox, following an awful end to the 2004 ALCS.
On this date in 2005, at Yankee Stadium it felt like the “Curse of the Bambino” was back and the Yanks had the Sawx number.
After a Gary Sheffield groundout against Matt Clement got the Bombers on the board in the third inning, Hideki Matsui, one of the few Yankees who never stopped hitting in the 2004 ALCS, cracked a two-run homer to right.
Yet this game was not without some PTSD for fans in the Bronx. David Ortiz bopped a solo shot to center off Carl Pavano in the fourth frame. Johnny Damon lined an RBI-single to right off Mike Stanton in the seventh inning. Jason Varitek took Mariano Rivera deep to right in the ninth to tie it at three.
Ultimately, “Captain Clutch” would save the day during the home half. Leading off the ninth, Derek Jeter took Keith Foulke yard to right-center for the 4-3 difference-maker.
