Boston Massacre, Part Deux

The New York Yankees finished up their dismantling of the Boston Red Sox by beating them 2-1 Monday afternoon. Even a solid performance from the oft-injured David Wells couldnt keep the Bo-sox from being swept by their rivals. The game ended with

The Yankees dominated the Red Sox in the series, outscoring Boston 49-26. The Bombers bullpen, while not spectacular, was still enough against the despicable performance of the entire Sox pitching staff. The five-game sweep leaves the Yankees 6 games ahead of the Red Sox. New York fans were reminded on several occasions of their collapse against the Sox in the 2004 American League Championship Series on both FOX and ESPN, but Bostons injuries and atrocious pitching will keep them from coming anywhere near catching the Yankees in the East.

The turning point of the series was on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN. Boston was ahead 5-3 late in the game with their ace reliever Jonathan Papelbon on the mound. Papelbon gave up a sacrifice fly to Jason Giambi in the top of the 8th, allowing the Yanks to pull within 5-4. Papelbon had a fresh start in the ninth innings, but New York was able to get a runner to third with two outs in the ninth. Derek Jeter, without a doubt the Yankees most valuable player, fisted a 1-2 pitch into right-field to tie the game, and even on T.V., one could feel the wind coming out of the Sox sails.

David Ortiz, by far the most feared hitter in baseball, led off the bottom half of the ninth against Mariano Rivera by legging out a double. After an intentional walk to Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis attempted to sacrifice both runners over, but hit an awful bunt back to Rivera, who gunned down the runner at 3rd. Rivera got the next two outs and was able to escape the jam. The Red Sox best chance to turn the series around failed in a blown save by a tired rookie closer and a lack of execution on offense.

The Yankees, as is already known, hit two missiles over the fence in the 10th and knocked off the Sox 8-5. While the Red Sox did have a lead in three of the five games, their lack of relief from the pen killed any chance of having success against the red hot Bronx Bombers. The fact that the Yankees set a record as the first team to score at least 12 runs in three games at Fenway Park is not a fluke or irrelevant figure. It shows a lack of pitching in the depleted Sox pitching staff.

Though it is not even the end of August, there is no chance that the Boston Red Sox will catch the New York Yankees.

Kevin D. Roberts 2006 Graduate - University of Connecticut - B.A. Journalism/Political Science Torrington, CT 06790

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