Sep 15, 2007, 4:19 GMT
Boston, MA - Alex Rodriguez's RBI single capped an incredible six-run rally in the eighth inning, as the Yankees made an improbable comeback to clip the Boston Red Sox, 8-7, to maintain hope for another AL East crown.
It was last August 18-21 when the Yankees swept a five-game series at Boston, on their way to a ninth straight division title. Friday's victory mirrored a 14-11 Yankee win from last August 18 in the nightcap of a day/night doubleheader. That evening, New York scored seven times in the seventh inning in the longest nine-inning contest at 4 hours, 45 minutes.
This one, which lasted two minutes shorter, saw the first seven Yankees reach safely in the eighth, an inning that started with New York behind 7-2. Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano started the frame with homers. Derek Jeter added a run-scoring hit, and Bobby Abreu smacked a two-run double in the inning, as the Yankees won for the eighth time in nine contests and pulled within 4 1/2 games of Boston in the division. The Yankees also maintained a 3 1/2 game lead on Detroit for the American League wild card spot.
'I think it's our biggest win of the year, certainly,' Rodriguez said. 'It's definitely a character-builder. It gives us a lot of confidence, coming into a place like this and being down five runs late in the game with their bullpen. It's a good character win.'
It's been a long road back toward the top of the division for the Yankees. Since being a season-low eight games under .500 (21-29) on May 29, they have a 63-34 record.
Kevin Youkilis and J.D. Drew singled in runs in the sixth inning, but the Red Sox couldn't pad their lead after loading the bases with two outs, as Bobby Kielty fanned.
The Yankees then lit up Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon (1-3) in the eighth, stunning the Fenway Park faithful. Giambi homered to right, and Cano struck a ball over the wall in center. Melky Cabrera walked and Johnny Damon doubled for one of his four hits. Papelbon then came on, but was greeted by a looping Jeter single to right field for a 7-5 contest. Abreu followed by crushing a two-run hit high off the wall in center, and he went to third on an errant throw. Rodriguez then lined a hit to left-center field to drive in Abreu for the go-ahead run.
'It wasn't one of our better efforts but it sure was a great result,' Yankees manager Joe Torre said. 'We gave away so much and we had so many opportunities to do some damage and we lucked out, but that eighth inning was incredible.'
Mike Lowell struck out in the bottom of the inning, but reached first on a passed ball. Pinch-runner Coco Crisp was caught stealing to end the inning.
Mariano Rivera allowed a single to Drew to start the ninth, but then retired the next three batters to notch his 27th save, getting Jacoby Ellsbury to strike out to end the opener of a three-game series.
Brian Bruney (3-1) threw 1 1/3 innings for the victory.
Dustin Pedroia drove in two runs for Boston, which left 11 men on base, one less than the Yankees.
'It happened quick, that's for sure,' Lowell said. 'I feel good with a one-run lead with Okie and Pap. So I mean, they didn't hit too many balls soft, though. They took advantage of pitches, and they did it in a hurry. So that's a good hitting team. They did it. I don't have any explanation.'
Andy Pettitte was lifted after allowing nine hits and five runs -- four earned -- in his start for New York, while Daisuke Matsuzaka was replaced after surrendering four hits and two runs over 5 2/3 frames. Matsuzaka walked five and fanned seven.
'It seems like we've played the last three games backwards,' Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. 'We got to where we wanted. I thought Daisuke pitched with a lot of heart. We got to Oki (Okajima) with the idea that even if things didn't go perfect, we had Pap ready for Jeter. It fell apart in a hurry.'
The Yankees loaded the bases with one out in the first inning, but couldn't score.
The Red Sox went on top on an Ellsbury RBI single in the second, and doubled its advantage in the next inning, but could have had more runs. David Ortiz doubled with one out and tried to score on Lowell's hit to center. However, Cabrera directed a perfect threw home to get the lumbering Ortiz. Youkilis walked, and then a ball hit by Drew went under the legs of Giambi at first base, allowing Lowell to score.
Jorge Posada doubled to start the fourth and Hideki Matsui followed with a triple to the right field corner. However, with runners at the corners and nobody out the Yankees couldn't add to their total, as Cano fanned and Cabrera grounded into a double play. Cabrera was out on a close sliding play at first base, leaving the score at 2-1.
Boston put up a three-spot in the bottom of the inning, ultimately chasing Pettitte. Kielty doubled and Ellsbury singled to start the inning. Ellsbury then stole second with one out before Pedroia lined a two-run single up the middle. After an Ortiz single, Lowell trickled a hit toward Pettitte and the ball caromed off the pitcher's glove and got behind the mound, allowing Pedroia to come home.
Pettitte was removed after throwing 101 pitches and was replaced by Jose Veras to start the fifth.
Posada scored on a Damon infield single in the sixth, when the Yankees left the bases loaded, but got within 5-2.
Game Notes
Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez could miss the entire series due to a strained muscle in his left side...Ellsbury extended his hitting streak to 12 games...This was Pettitte's 400th career appearance...The Red Sox relinquished their largest lead in a loss since April 26, 2005 when they blew a 5-run lead against the Orioles and lost 11-8...In 16 meetings this season the Red Sox and Yankees have averaged 3:35 per game.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Game Notes.
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