Red Sox Continue Embarrassing Implosion in New York

By John in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ September 25, 2011 at 4:59pm ⋅ Post a comment

Tim Wakefield #49 of the Boston Red Sox is pulled from the game by manager Terry Francona #47 in the fifth inning against the New York Yankees on September 25, 2011 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Boston just can’t seem to get it together, and lost once more to start a doubleheader Sunday 6-2. And yet again, their opponent beat them down early, and as usual, the Yankees never let them back into the game. The omens started early, too, with Jacoby Ellsbury getting picked off in the 1st inning after getting caught in a rundown. New York followed that up with two bunt singles and stolen bases to start their game, and after a missed catch error, passed ball and wild pitch, took a 2-0 lead.

New York struck again in the 3rd, with a two-run homer from Jorge Posada, who bat fourth in the lineup. Jacoby Ellsbury homered in the 4th to cut the deficit to 4-1, but after two singles in the 5th for New York (the first of which also saw a fielding error on Carl Crawford), New York made it 5-1.

Ellsbury homered yet again in the 6th, but in the bottom of the frame, a single, sac bunt and ground-rule double made it 6-2. A.J. Burnett kept everything going good for the Yanks through 7.2 innings, forcing Boston to waste a lead-off double in the 8th. Boston never got any momentum going, and the way they’ve been playing lately, why should they?

Sox’ Stud of the Game: Jacoby Ellsbury

Two home runs in one game is a good day for anyone, but alas, one man does not a team make.

Sox’ Dud of the Game: Tim Wakefield

Wakefield gave up five runs (three earned) and five walks in 4.0 innings and two batters. Laboring the way he did doesn’t win games, and only taxes the bullpen further.

Game Notes:

W: A.J. Burnett (11-11)
L: Tim Wakefield (7-8)

Adrian Gonzalez grounded into two double plays, giving him 28 for the season, second only to Albert Pujols.
Ellsbury is the only person in Red Sox history to have at least 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in the same season.
While warming up for the 8th, Scott Atchison left the game due to injury. He was seen clutching at his groin.
Boston is only 0.5 games ahead of Tampa in the Wildcard race with four games left (to Tampa’s three remaining). The Angels are 2.0 games out with four remaining, including leading Oakland 2-0 in the 6th as of press time.

Tags: Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, New York Yankees, Red Sox, Scott Atchison, Terry Francona, Tim Wakefield