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Sox Pummel Yanks in 14-1 Victory

After a slaughter in the previous game, the Red Sox were gearing up to exact some revenge on the Yankees. Behind some strong pitching and consistent bats, the Sox cruised to a 14-1 victory over their New York rivals.

Sox starting pitcher Junichi Tazawa had a stellar game going six innings and giving up eight hits, but the rookie did not allow a run. On the other side, Yankee A. J. Burnett was rocked for nine runs on nine hits (in five innings) including a slew of home runs and doubles. The Sox effectively ended their five-game losing skid to New York and may look to get back into the AL East race.

The Red Sox got it going early in the first. With Dustin Pedroia and Victor Martinez on, David Ortiz doubled, scoring both. Next batter Jason Bay followed with a double of his own, scoring Ortiz. In the second, home runs by Alex Gonzalez, his first since returning to Boston, and Kevin Youkilis, which scored three, put the Sox up 7-0.

From there, Tazawa took over. He induced numerous pop ups and ground outs, forcing New York to strand numerous runners, including a few at third base. The fifth inning saw a solo home run from David Ortiz and RBI double from J.D. Drew, scoring Jason Bay. In the sixth, following a Martinez single that plated Pedroia, Youkilis hit his second home run of the game, putting the Sox up 12-0.

In the eighth with two outs and after a Pedroia double, pinch hitter Casey Kotchman drilled a double of his own, plating Pedroia for the fourth time in the game. Youkilis continued the double trend, bringing Kotchman home. Rocco Baldelli looked to keep the double train alive, but popped out in the Sox final at bat.

The Yankees looked dismal all around and not like the team that dominated since the All-Star Break. The only true bright spots came in the form of Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher, who both collected three hits. Swisher’s home run was the only run New York produced all night.

It was the Red Sox bats that should be talked about with 15 hits scoring 14 runs, including 12 runs in two-out situations. The Sox collectively added seven doubles and five home runs and played ball that New York just couldn’t match.

Now sitting six and a half games out of first in the AL East, the Sox will look to keep on track in the final game of the series on Sunday. Currently, they are still up on the Rangers and Rays in the wild card race.

Sox Stud(s) of the Game: Youkilis and Pedroia

With the bats in full swing, (pun intended), it was two home runs from Youkilis and two doubles from Pedroia, who also crossed home four times. Both players looked to be in MVP form.

Double Trouble:

The Sox were hitting doubles like crazy, finishing the night with seven. That total included back-to-back-to-back doubles from Pedroia, Kotchman and Youkilis.

Say What!?!

“It looks like the bill of Cano’s cap hit Pedroia in the forehead…I don’t think we’ve ever seen that before.” – Fox broadcaster Tim McCarver discussing Cano’s slide into second that hit Pedroia.

News and Notes:

WP: Tazawa (2-2)
LP: Burnett (10-7)

• The Sox have score at least five runs in nine of their past 12 games.
• Red Sox shortstops are 29th in the league for offense. Alex Gonzalez will look to change that by season’s end.
• Saturday’s game was the longest outing for Tazawa’s young career.

Tags: Dustin Pedroia, J.D. Drew, Jason Bay, Junichi Tazawa, Kevin Youkilis, New York Yankees, Red Sox, Victor Martinez

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