The New York Yankees are officially no longer winless against the Boston Red Sox in 2009. The Bronx Bombers flexed their thunderous might, slaughtering the completely over-matched Red Sox 13-6, due in no small part to an explosive eight-run outburst in the 4th inning that chased starter John Smoltz from the game.
Entering the bottom of the fourth down 3-1, Melky Cabrera crushed a three-run shot to thrust the Yankees into a lead they would not relent, a fact secured when Jorge Posada drove the proverbial stake into the Red Sox figurative heart, mashing a three-run dinger of his own to deep center field.
Jorge's home run added to his huge day and to that of his team's. The stalwart Yankee catcher finished only a triple short of reproducing Melky's recent feat of hitting for the cycle, but the home run in the fourth was the crucial point where it was clear that Boston would not be coming back on this night. Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira also contributed long balls and every other Yankee starter had a hit in the Bronx-style bludgeoning.
Starter Joba Chamberlain struggled with his control — especially after the long layoff in the fourth inning — lasting only five frames while walking a ridiculous seven batters. But the Yankee onslaught was simply too overwhelming, disallowing Boston to take advantage. Johnny Damon posted a 3-for-5 day to go along with his home run, Teixeira was 3-for-4 and Posada went 3-for-5, relentlessly pounding sacrificial lamb and former Yankee pitcher Billy Traber when Smoltz could bear no more punishment. When the dust settled and the final out was recorded, the Yankees' collected 13 runs on 18 hits and left the distinct impression that the John Smoltz gamble might end up snake eyes for the boy genius Theo Epstein.
While New York's winless start against their rivals was big news in early June, this is hardly the same Yankees' team. With a healthy A-Rod, the new acquisitions of Teixeira, CC Sabathia, and A.J. Burnett settled in, and a bullpen that has come together in stellar fashion, the Yankees are playing the best baseball in the American League, and are poised to distance themselves from their rivals if they can continue their elite level of play in the remaining three games of the four-game set against Boston.
Article comments
1 - Minderbinder
Joba was lucky to get through 5 innings and the Yankee offense beat up on a has-been and a never-was. I don't think that I'd consider that an elite level of play.
You should have waited until after the series then written something insightful instead of jumping at the first chance to take easy shots at the Red Sox.
2 - Tony
It doesn't take much "thought" to understand that the Yankees getting their first win against Boston this season is worth mention.
Stats are stats. Since the Red Sox started 8-0 against the Yankees the Sox have been mediocre while the Yankees have been very good. That won't change even if there are beaten in the next three games, and neither will the fact that they are in first.
Part of the point of this piece was to highlight that this happened to Smoltz who is obviously washed up. If you made it to page two I listed the matchups and stated pretty clearly that in my opinion a blowout like this is unlikely to occur again.
In regards to Joba, I said he struggled and also called his 7 walks "ridiculous."
Not sure how else I could have stated it. I probably will write something about the series which ever way it goes but I think the Yankees first win against the Red Sox in 2009 is definitely worth a write-up.
3 - DW
Love the photo. Those big city kids!
4 - Tony
Thanks, when I saw it I couldn't resist.
5 - Casanova
NOT KOOL to have a baby flipping the bird at anyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 - joe cool
it took boston all this time to actually win a world series. shut up boston. yankees rule
7 - Otaku
Quick comment. That photo is shopped. The kid was acually a supporter of Feyenoord Rotterdam. The Sox logos were doctored in.
8 - I Am Smarter Than You
Hey idiots who think that photo is real, IT'S NOT. It's a soccer fan of Feyenoord and has been photoshopped. -_-
9 - Tony
No, its just funny. Simmer down there killer.
10 - I am also smarter than you
Yes the photo is fake. Taken from a Feyenoord fan from Holland. Not cool