In baseball, momentum can change from series to series, especially in the heat of a pennant race. All the excitement the Red Sox built from sweeping the Chicago White Sox over the weekend and watching the Yankees drop three out of four to Detroit is gone. Ditto for the eight-game lead. The Sox showed no heart in this series, which culminated this afternoon with a 5-0 loss and a three-game sweep by the Yankees.
Andy Pettitte, New York's best starter, delivered in game one when the Yankees edged Boston, 5-3. The last two days have seen two inconsistent starters - Roger Clemens and Chien-Ming Wang - throw gems. Clemens took a no-hitter into the sixth inning last night. Today, Wang carried a no-hit bid into the seventh. Mike Lowell lined a base hit into right field to break up the no-hitter.
Curt Schilling suffered the loss, but he pitched well. His only blemishes were two solo home runs from the bat of Robinson Cano. Wang was on top of his game, but the Sox did hit several balls hard right at the Yankees defense.
Though it felt like the Yankees were in control throughout the entire game, the Sox had a golden opportunity to change the momentum in the seventh. They trailed 2-0 when Kevin Youkilis opened the frame by reaching on a throwing error by Derek Jeter. Lowell followed with a base hit that placed runners on first and second with no outs. J.D. Drew, who was hitless in two previous at-bats, hit a hard grounder to Alex Rodriguez, who tried to tag Youkilis and then threw out Drew at first. Youkilis was called out for running out of the basepath, leading to Terry Francona's ejection. Jason Varitek struck out swinging to end the inning, and Boston's chances.
The Yankees broke open a close game in the bottom of the eighth. Hideki Okajima relieved Schilling, who allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. Jeter lined a one-out single, and Bobby Abreu followed with a double that plated Jeter. Okajima intentionally walked Rodriguez. The Yankees sealed the game when Matsui attempted to steal third, and Varitek's throw sailed into left field, permitting Matsui and Rodriguez to score for a 5-0 Yankees advantage.
Fireworks ensued in the ninth when Joba Chamberlain threw two pitches high and tight to Youkilis. Rightfully so, Chamberlain was ejected by home plate umpire Angel Hernandez. The game ended when Drew popped out to first against Edwar Ramirez.
This was a discouraging series for the Sox, not only because they were swept by their rivals, but also since they showed little passion and heart. It was like they expected the Yankees would roll over because they were in town with an eight-game lead. Sox fans should not fret. The Yankees have won four in a row against Boston, but the Sox still hold a five-game lead and have a favorable schedule the rest of the season. Still, the Sox need to make a statement when they host the Yankees for a three-game series at Fenway Park from September 14-16. The Yankees may or may not secure a wild card berth, but if they do, the Sox need to enter a potential ALCS against the Bombers with confidence. It matters most how you are playing in September.
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