Sox Rally to Move to 8-0 Against Yankees in 2009

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ June 12, 2009 at 8:54am ⋅ Post a comment

In a game many thought the Yankees would finally beat the Red Sox, Yanks ace CC Sabathia was slated to face Sox No. 5 starter Brad Penny. Penny turned in by far his best start of the season, out-pitching Sabathia in his six shutout innings to help the Sox earn the 4-3 win, their eighth straight in 2009 against the Yanks. Penny was not credited with the win thanks to a shaky bullpen effort, but he certainly kept the Sox in the game.

CC Sabathia was dominant over the first seven innings, allowing a David Ortiz HR in the second inning. Armed with a new 3-1 lead, Joe Girardi sent his ace out for the eighth inning where he faced trouble. He allowed a run on an RBI single and was chased after a season-high 123 pitches. The Yanks bullpen allowed the tying and go-ahead runs to cross the plate, giving Sabathia his fourth loss of the season. No wonder Girardi didn’t trust his bullpen.

Sox Stud of the Game

David Ortiz, DH: Big Papi may be back. He went 2-3 and hit his second HR of the series (fourth of the season). He even reached on an error when Johnny Damon dropped an easy fly ball, showing his luck may finally be changing.

Sox Dud of the Game

Manny Delcarmen, RP: Given a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning after a magnificent performance from Brad Penny, Manny allowed three runs and nearly gave up the game. He’s been dominant all year, so hopefully this performance was just a hiccup.

That’s What He Said

“I know the fans probably love it,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “Good for them; they should. We just want to win every game.”

Game Notes

W: Takashi Saito (1-0)
L: CC Sabathia (5-4)
S: Jonathan Papelbon (16)

Mike Lowell hit the game-winning sacrifice fly to score J.D. Drew in the eighth innng.
The Sox have now won nine straight games overall against the Yankees dating back to last season.
Delcarmen had not allowed a run in his previous 16 appearances against the Yanks.