Avery Bradley Injury Status: Out for Rest of Postseason

Was the Hate Towards Jonathan Papelbon Really that Necessary?

Connelly’s Top Ten: Red Sox Crowned Championship Contenders

Celtics Loss Lowers Expectations

Beckett Injured as Red Sox Come Back Late to Split with Yankees

Jonathan Papelbon found himself in a familiar situation Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. Once again, the go-ahead run stood at the plate and a blown save seemed likely, but Papelbon struck out Randy Winn to seal the deal for his tenth save and a 7-6 victory.

Just like the first game of the series, the Red Sox found themselves down big, 5-0 in the fifth inning. CC Sabathia gave up a home run to Kevin Youkilis in the sixth inning and left Joba Chamberlain with a comfortable 5-1 lead.  Not for long.  J.D. Drew and Youkilis each delivered two-run hits to cut the gap to 5-4. David Ortiz then drove in Youk to tie it up.

It was a whole new ballgame when the dust settled in the eighth inning. Jeremy Hermida drove in two runs off of Mariano Rivera, plating Darnell McDonald and Marco Scutaro in the ninth. The two-run cushion was all Papelbon needed.

It was a great comeback but it came at a cost. Josh Beckett left the game in the fifth with more tightness in his lower back. Manny Delcarmen relieved him, but the Yankees protested the substitution because they were not notified of the injury. We are awaiting the results of Beckett’s injury and the protest.

The victory helped the 2010 Red Sox (20-20) avoid being the first team since 1997 to be under .500 at the 40-game mark.

Sox Studs of the Game: Kevin Youkilis and Jeremy Hermida

Youk delivered 2 runs, 2 hits, 3 RBI, and his 7^th home run of the year.  Hermida only had one at-bat, but it was all he needed to win the game.

Sox Dud of the Game: Josh Beckett

After missing his last start, he looked to right his 7.46 era.  He didn’t succeed, as it still stands at 7.29.  If this injury is serious enough to keep the righty from his next start, look for Tim Wakefield fill in again.

Game Notes

W: Daniel Bard (1-1)
L: Mariano Rivera (0-1)

• The Sox bullpen really stopped the bleeding, having to go 4.1 after Beckett’s early exit.
• The game was delayed 59 minutes because of rain.
• Youk’s average is a team-leading .319, good enough for eleventh in the AL.

Tags: CC Sabathia, Darnell McDonald, David Ortiz, J.D. Drew, Jeremy Hermida, Joba Chamberlain, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis, Marco Scutaro, Mariano Rivera, Randy Winn