Today’s 2-1 win over the Yankees may have saved the Red Sox’ season. Traveling to New York to play a four game set with the Bronx Bombers, it looked very bleak for the Sox. The Yankees were ready to send a knockout blow and send the Red Sox ten games back with a sweep. But the Sox wouldn’t have it.
Game one was a 6-3 victory for the Red Sox, where Francisco Cervelli dropped a routine pop-up and allowed the Sox to rally for three runs in the second, leading up to Ryan Kalish’s first ever home run, a two run bomb to secure the lead for the Sox.
Game two wasn’t as kind to the Red Sox, as John Lackey could not protect a one run lead, and CC Sabathia hurled eight innings, giving up only two runs and striking out four.
Game three had both teams looking to take control of the series. Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN began with the Yankees grabbing a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second. In the fifth, Bill Hall cut the lead in half with a solo shot off of Dustin Moseley. Then, in the bottom of the fifth, Josh Beckett gave up five earned runs to make it 7-1 Yanks. The Sox scored once more, but that wasn’t nearly enough as the Yankees won 7-2.
Game four. The Red Sox could fall behind eight games in the East with a loss or get back to six games with a win. This was possibly the Red Sox’ biggest game all year, especially with the Rays losing five straight. They scored two in the top of the second, and that was all they needed. Jon Lester had a great outing, throwing 6.1 innings with no runs allowed. In the seventh, Daniel Bard escaped a bases loaded jam with no outs, giving up nothing. Mark Texiera would hit out a solo shot in the eighth to cut the lead, but the Yanks would get no more, as Papelbon put on a clutch performance and got the save.
The Red Sox escaped the series very much still in the AL East and Wild Card races. They will only continue to get better as players return from injury, and Jacoby Ellsbury’s four stolen bases in the game means he’s getting back on track and should be at 100 percent soon.
The Red Sox play the Yankees and Rays six times each, one series home and away against both teams. The Red Sox aren’t out of this race just yet. Mark your calenders for when the Yankees travel to Fenway from October 1-3 to close out each clubs’ regular season. There could be playoff spots on the line.
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