Sox Win 7-3, Improve to 5-0 Against Yankees

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox ⋅ May 6, 2009 at 5:56am ⋅ Post a comment

If the Tampa Bay Rays own the Red Sox, then I think it’s safe to say the Red Sox own the New York Yankees, no matter where they play. The Red Sox improved to 5-0 against the Bronx Bombers this season, including to 2-0 at the new Yankee Stadium, after a 7-3 win. Josh Beckett pitched better than he has lately, allowing three runs on 10 hits and one walk with five strikeouts in six innings of work. He allowed all his runs in the third inning on a three-run HR by Johnny Damon, but settled down after that.

Meanwhile, Joba Chamberlain, fresh off the news his mom had been arrested for selling meth, had a really rough first inning, but cruised after that point. Chamberlain gave up hits to the first five batters he faced, including an RBI single to David Ortiz and a three-run HR to Jason Bay. He finished with four runs allowed on six hits and two walks in 5.2 innings. He also struck out a career-high 12 hitters, with nine of those looking at Strike 3.

Leave it to the poor Yankees bullpen to help the Sox pad their 4-3 lead entering the eighth inning. The Sox scored twice in the eighth and once in the ninth off a bullpen misfit crew that included Jonathan Albaladejo and Mark Melancon. Who? Jason Varitek hit a sacrifice fly and Nick Green launched an RBI single to right to account for the eighth inning runs, and Jeff Bailey walked with the bases loaded in the ninth inning for Boston’s seventh run.

Sox Stud of the Game

Jason Bay, LF: Jason Bay finished 1-3 with a walk, two runs, and the three-run HR. The home run gave the Red Sox a 4-0 lead at the time they would not relinquish. With his effort Tuesday, Bay is now hitting .322 with 7 HRs and 25 RBI this season.

Sox Dud of the Game

Jonathan Van Every, CF It’s hard to pick on anyone in this game. Players who didn’t finish with hits all were still productive, as J.D. Drew was 0-3 but walked and scored a run. Varitek hit a sac fly in the eighth to score a run, and Bailey drew the bases loaded walk despite no hits. I’ll pick on Jonathan Van Every, who finished 0-3 with two strikeouts.

Game Notes

W: Josh Beckett (3-2)
L: Joba Chamberlain (1-1)

Jacoby Ellsbury left the game in the fourth inning with tightness in his hamstring, and was replaced by Van Every.
Kevin Youkilis did not play due to tightness in his back. Jeff Bailey started in his place, and Jason Bay hit cleanup.
Daisuke Matsuzaka started for Pawtucket on a rehab assignment, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings.