Yankees Win Epic Journey Deep Into The Night
YANKEES 2RED SOX 0
15 INNINGS
This is what baseball is all about: Two great teams battling it out, hour after hour, inning after inning, batter after batter, an exquisite game played out on a chessboard of grass. Typical of this legendary series between the Yankees and Red Sox, this one will go down as one of the classic confrontations of all time.
For 15 innings, the two heavyweight teams duked it out scoreless for the entire night. Certainly, there were opportunites, but neither team could take advantage of scoring chances; for example, in the bottom of the ninth, with Hideki Matsui and Alex Rodriguez on base with two out, and Jorge Posada strolling to the plate, David Bard reeled back and struck out the powerful Posada swinging, ending the threat.
Later, in the bottom of the tenth with Eric Hinske on base and Derek Jeter at bat with two out, Red Sox manager Terry Francona makes a brilliant move. He removes his set up man, Ramon Ramirez, in favor of closer Jonathan Papelbon. Jeter, 3 for 13 against the Red Sox star closer, strikes swinging, making the star short stop look foolish at 3 for 14.
In the top of the 14th, it appeared that Sox were bound to score. Kevin Youkilis singled and J.D. Drew was intentionally walked for Jason Varitek. Varitek. Varitek who is no longer the hitter he used to be, grounded out to second base to end one of the few Red Sox threats.
In the bottom of the 14th, the Yankees, once again, had a chance to score. With Posada and Robinson Cano on base, Hinske laced a line drive to right field. It appeared that the ball would fly over Drew's head, but the right fielder made a terrific grab to prevent the runners from advancing.
Finally, Melky Cabrera, who has been known for game-winning hits for the Bombers this year, was oh-so-close to getting another big hit. He drilled a line drive down the right field line, but the ball trickeld foul. Cabrera struck out, ending the Yankees inning.
Finally, in the 15th inning after Derek Jeter singled, Alex Rodriguez, the unclutch one, blasted a curve ball into the bullpens in left center field to send Yankee Stadium into a frenzy. Rodriguez was later greeted by pitcher A.J. Burnett with a towel full of shaving cream, but he missed Rodriguez's face, instead hitting him in the left ear.
The Yankees are now 4.5 games ahead of the Sox for first place in the AL East. Perhaps destiny is in the Yankees chess game this season.
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