Game 159: Sox Win in Extras
With the Red Sox in a state of panic and must-win times, they defeated the Yankees in 14 innings by a score of 7-4.
Jacoby Ellsbury hit two home runs in the first game of the doubleheader and his home run swing showed up late to the second game but his three-run home put the Red Sox ahead for the win. Ivan Nova was the starting pitcher of the second game of the doubleheader. This was merely to get his work in as he is ensured a spot on the postseason roster with the work he has done to get his 16-4 record this season. He was given an early 3-0 lead but by the 7th inning he surrendered the lead and trailed 4-3 after getting 1 out. The bullpen took over and managed to keep the game tied 4-4 until Scott Proctor gave up the three-run home run.
The Yankees offense looked to be getting to the Boston Red Sox starter, John Lackey, early as Mark Teixeira hit a two-run double off the right-center field wall but a throw to the plate let Teixeira advance to 3rd and a wild throw by catcher Jason Varitek allowed Teixeira to score from 3rd and put the Yankees ahead 3-0 in the 1st inning. Unfortunately for the Yankees, that's all they would get as Lackey settled down and held the Yankees off the scoreboard until they manufactured the game-tying run on a sacrifice fly in the 7th. The Red Sox bullpen would keep the Yankees from trying to develop any attempt at ending the game in the extra innings. Any time that the Yankees came close, the bullpen stepped up their game and stopped them.
The Red Sox needed this win and a hard-earned victory of this nature may be key to what helps them get the momentum of the final three games of the season so that they get to the postseason and may also help their MVP candidates, specifically Jacoby Ellsbury, if they are able to win the Wild Card. A start like this from Ivan Nova is not something that should be alarming to the Yankees Universe. He kept the Yankees in the game despite giving up the lead. He will still be a dependable member of the postseason rotation as long as the atmosphere is not overwhelming.
Ryan Nakada
@adakannayr