Red Sox Play Spoilers in 8-4 Defeat of New York

By John in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ October 3, 2010 at 5:44pm ⋅ Post a comment

Nick Swisher #33 of the New York Yankees cannot catch a home run hit by Jed Lowrie #12 of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, October 3, 2010, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash / Getty Images)

If you can’t make the playoffs, the next-best thing to do is spoil the Yankees’ hopes of winning home-field advantage throughout the first two rounds. That’s exactly what the Red Sox did Sunday, ending their season with an 8-4 victory over the Evil Empire. As a result, the Yankees are relegated to the Wildcard.

J.D. Drew homered in the 1st to put Boston up 2-0, but the Yankees answered in the 2nd with a Nick Swisher solo shot and again in the 3rd, when A-Rod drove in Mark Teixeira, who had reached on a fielding error by J.D. Drew. That tied the score 2-2.

David Ortiz singled to lead off the 4th, but was doubled up when Bill Hall flew out to DEEP center and Ortiz had to run all the way back. No worries, though. Jed Lowrie jacked one to right field to put the Red Sox up 4-2 in the 5th.

The Sox weren’t done there; they added to their lead in the 6th, which started with David Ortiz singling on a bunt. Notice anything unusual about that last sentence? With the shift on every time Ortiz comes to the plate, Ortiz should be able to bunt single down the 3rd base line every time, like he did there. After a 3/3 day, Ortiz’ season ended by being pinch run for by Josh Reddick, and Ortiz received a rightful standing ovation.

Bill Hall walked, and Ryan Kalish singled in a run. Both were successful on a double steal as well. After Jason Varitek struck out, Daniel was intentionally walked (once 1st base was open following the steal). Lars Anderson hit a sac fly, on which Kalish advanced to 3rd.

Next came the fun part. Remember the Yankees pulling a delayed steal of home against the Red Sox earlier in the year? This time, the Red Sox gave the Yanks some of their own medicine, albeit on a bobble at 2nd trying to catch Nava. Eric Patterson struck out to end the inning, but the Red Sox now led 7-2.

Lowrie added another homer to right in the 7th to make it 8-2, before the Yankees made it 8-3 in the 8th. In fact, they loaded the bases with two outs before Daniel Bard came in to shut the door.

The Yankees, after after flying out and striking out to start the 9th, refused to go quietly against Jonathan Papelbon. They reached on an error, a single (which scored a run), and a walk before A-Rod finally grounded out to Bill Hall to finally end the Yankees’ hopes of a division title.

Sox Stud of the Game: Jed Lowrie

Those two home runs really got the Red Sox going, and put the Yankees away.

Sox Dud of the Game: Fujin, the Japanese God of Wind

There were multiple shots by the sox out to center that had the wind not been blowing in so profusely, would have been homers, or at least wall-ball doubles.

That’s What He Said:

“You’re in the best shape now that you’re gonna be in all year.” – Jerry Remy to Don Orsillo, on his off-season workout regimen.

Game Notes:

W: John Lackey (14-11)
L: Dustin Moseley (4-4)

J.D. Drew’s error was his first of the season, and first in 183 games.
17 of A-Rod’s 125 RBIs this season came against Boston.
Because the tying run was on deck, Daniel Bard came in during a save situation, which he could have easily completed for four total outs.
After racking up two outs in the 9th, the Yankees were down to their last strike for all four batters, for nine total pitches.
John Lackey tied his 2nd-best career high with 14 wins (2004, 2005, and 2010); his best was 19 (2007).
Starting Wednesday, the Yankees will visit the Twins and the Rangers will visit the Rays.

Tags: Bill Hall, Daniel Bard, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, Don Orsillo, Eric Patterson, J.D. Drew, Jason Varitek, Jed Lowrie, Jerry Remy, John Lackey, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Reddick, New York Yankees, Red Sox, Ryan Kalish