Manny’s 2 HRs Lead Sox over Yankees

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ April 18, 2008 at 7:51am ⋅ Post a comment

Manny Ramirez launched two homers to help lead the Red Sox to a 7-5 win over the rival New York Yankees, earning a split of a short two-game series in the Bronx. Manny now has 495 HR’s for his career, moving him past Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff into 24th-all-time on the career home run list.

Josh Beckett earned the win pitching eight strong innings. He allowed three runs on six hits and one walk, striking out five in the victory. Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth for the Sox, and was touched for two runs, including a solo shot by Yanks OF Melky Cabrera.

Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis, and J.D. Drew continue to carry the Sox offense, and it was no different in Thursday night’s game. Ramirez finished 3-5 with two home runs and three RBI. Youk finished 2-5 with two runs scored and Drew finished 2-4 with 2 RBI.

Mike Mussina continues to suck in his later years after he allowed five runs on seven hits in just three innings of work. He allowed both of Manny’s moon shots. Strange enough, he hit two batters: both of whom were Jacoby Ellsbury…

The Sox head back home to Fenway for a weekend series against the Texas Rangers. They still don’t have a day off, and wont until April 28. That’s just ludicrous. Starting tonight’s game for the Sox is Daisuke Matsuzaka. Opposing him for Texas is Luis Mendoza.

Game Notes:

Dustin Pedroia had another multi-hit game, going 2-4.
David Ortiz went 0-5, dropping his average to .111.
INF Joe Thurston got his first action in a Sox uniform as a defensive replacement in left field. He’s up because…
Alex Cora went to the 15-day DL with an injured elbow after the first game in the Bronx.