(Sports Network) - In the midst of a nine-game homestand, the New York Yankees
try to shake off a disappointing outcome from Saturday when they close out a
three-game set against the Boston Red Sox in the Bronx.
Following a rain delay of more than two hours the Yankees, still the leaders
in the American League East by 8 1/2 games over both Tampa Bay and Baltimore,
allowed Boston to move out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on Saturday and
were never able to fully recover in what turned into an 8-6 win for the
visitors.
CC Sabathia was rocked for six runs on eight hits and a pair of walks while
striking out six over six innings of work. Thanks to a two-run home run from
Mark Teixeira in the bottom of the eighth inning Sabathia was off the hook as
far as being charged with the loss was concerned. Instead, it was Rafael
Soriano who was saddled with the defeat as he gave up two runs in the top of
the ninth.
"It's tough, not being able to go out and pitch the way you want, especially
against a team in your division," Sabathia said. "We won the first game last
night and I wanted to come out and have a good performance, but it didn't
happen tonight."
In addition to Teixeira, Jayson Nix and Chris Stewart also went deep for the
hosts. Unfortunately, not only did Curtis Granderson come up empty in four at-
bats and strike out three times, he also misplayed a ball in the ninth that
became the turning point for the game.
Boston's Jon Lester was bounced around a bit as he gave up four runs on four
hits and a pair of walks. Lester made it through six innings, striking out
six, but like Sabathia he didn't factor into the decision. Instead, that was
left for Andrew Miller who retired just a single batter in the eighth inning,
while Alfredo Aceves stepped in for his 22nd save of 2012.
All eight runs by the Sox were scored by the first four batters in the lineup,
with Pedro Ciriaco crossing the plate three times and both Dustin Pedroia and
Adrian Gonzalez scoring twice. Gonzalez, who had gone four games without an
RBI, knocked in four for the visitors, thanks in part to his 10th home run of
the season in the fifth inning. Will Middlebrooks added two hits and a couple
of RBI as well.
"Gonzo was really ready to play today," said Boston manager Bobby Valentine.
"He was determined, as was Pedey, as was this whole team. He swung the bat
great tonight."
With claims of victory in seven of his last eight decisions, right-hander
Hiroki Kuroda has to be considered one of the hottest hurlers in the AL at the
moment.
Kuroda, who has lost only once since May 22, is riding a four-game win streak
after having one of his finest performances of the season on Monday. Against
Seattle on the road, the Japanese native gave up just one run on three hits
and a walk, while striking out nine over seven innings in a 4-1 triumph.
Even though he was shelled by the Red Sox in his first meeting of the season
back on July 6, giving up six earned runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings,
Kuroda was not tagged with a loss because the Yankees actually delivered a
10-9 win at Fenway Park. For his career Kuroda is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two
appearances versus Boston.
Speaking of the Sox, they have penciled in Felix Doubront as their starter
tonight. Doubront, a left-hander from Venezuela, has yet to drop back-to-back
decisions this season which is a good sign considering he bowed to Texas on
the road on Monday.
Against the Rangers, Doubront was lit up for six runs on eight hits and three
walks, striking out five over 5.0 innings of action as he suffered his fifth
setback of the campaign.
Now in just his third year in the majors, Doubront won his previous appearance
against the Yankees this season when he limited the team to three earned runs
on four hits and a walk, fanning six through 6 1/3 innings. Doubront has faced
off against New York a total of six times in his career, but has just the one
victory and a save to show for his efforts.
Boston, which won the season series in 2011 against the Yankees rather
comfortably (12-6), picked up just its second victory in eight tries versus
the Bronx Bombers this season on Saturday. Unfortunately, even with the
triumph the Sox find themselves all alone in last place in the AL East, 10 1/2
games off the pace.
Aside from his effort in the field late last night, Granderson is still a
major key to success for the Yankees. Both hot and cold over the last seven
days, Granderson has three home runs and 18 total bases during the stretch,
but he has also fanned 10 times in 26 at-bats so it is often all-or-nothing
when he steps to the plate.
The Sports Network