GAME 151 – 9/15/2013 – at Home vs. the New York Yankees

RESULT – WIN 9-2

The Red Sox are simply playing lights-out baseball right now.  They finished off a sweep of the Yankees Sunday night with a convincing 9-2 victory in the final matchup of the season between the two long standing rivals.

Mariano Rivera, the closer of the New York Yankees, in his final year of his illustrious career was honored on the field before the game.  A very class act by the Red Sox and unfortunately the crowd didn’t get to see Mo at all this series.  I was really hoping Girardi would put him in but with the game nowhere close, I see why he didn’t.

Clay Buchholz was good enough in his 2^nd start since coming off the DL.  He didn’t have his best stuff and struggled most of the night but improved to 11-0 on the year with a simply ridiculous 1.51 ERA.  It’s the first time a Red Sox pitcher has started the season 11-0 since Roger Clemens back in 1986.

Buchholz went 6 innings giving up 1 run (unearned) on just 2 hits.  He struck out 3 while walking 4.  He seemed to get into a lot of deep counts and lost a couple 3-2 battles.  He seemed upset with himself on 3 of the 4 walks as you could tell he wanted to make a better pitch.  Luckily the offense was out in full force and the bullpen is just nasty right now behind him.

Matt Thornton was first out and went 1 inning giving up 2 hits while striking out 1.  Craig Breslow pitched a brilliant 8^th inning striking out 2 of the 3 hitters he faced.  Allen Webster pitched the last inning and allowed 1 run on 1 hit while walking 1.  Webster didn’t do himself any favors as he hasn’t pitched well in the majors this year.

The Sox were 5 for 14 with runners in scoring position; which is great but they still left 8 men on base.  They had 4 2-out RBI with Mike Napoli and Dustin Pedroia each driving in 2 with 2 otus.

Daniel Nava had the hot bat going 4 for 5 with a run scored, an RBI and 2 doubles.  Mike Napoli went 1 for 3 with his 22^nd homer of the year.  He drove in 2 and now has 89 RBI on the year; he also walked once.  Dustin Pedroia went 1 for 3 with 2 runs, 2 RBI and 2 walks out of the leadoff spot.  Xander Bogaerts went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, a walk, his 2^nd double of the year and hi 1^st career stolen base.

Salty went 1 for 4 with a run scored and another stolen base; his 3^rd of the year.  Jackie Bradley Jr. went 0 for 3 but scored a run as he was hit by a pitch.  David Ortiz went 2 for 4 with a run scored, 2 RBI and a walk.

The win gave the Sox a 13-6 series advantage against the Yanks this year.  Mike Napoli certainly was the Yankee killer this year, batting .375 against them with 7 homers and 20 RBI.

With only 11 games remaining on the season, the Sox lead the AL East by 9 and ½ games.  Their magic number is at 4 and they own the best record in the majors at 92-59.  They are 17-4 since August 24^th.

SHAVING CREAM PIE TO THE FACE – GAME MVP

Daniel Nava.  The unsung hero of the Red Sox this year improved his average to .306 while collecting 4 hit, 2 of them doubles and driving in a run, his 63^rd of the year.

ELBOW TO THE FACE – GAME LVP

Stephen Drew.  Drew went 0 for 4 on the night.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Mike Napoli’s 2-run homer in the bottom of the 1^st that put the Sox up 3-1.  They would continue the scoring for the rest of the night.

NEXT

Tuesday, September 17^th, at home against the Baltimore Orioles.