Contrary to what you may have heard, especially from the New York and national media, there was a game last night between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Plus with all of the ballwashing of Derek Jeter going on in the FOX booth, you might not have even known the Red Sox were playing.
But they did and they made a statement behind a great performance from Josh Beckett in a 6-0 win.
When Beckett faced the Yankees earlier in the season, he allowed two hits in eight innings. Last night, he allowed two hits to the first two batters and it got you thinking that it might be a long night for Beckett and the Red Sox.
But that was far from the case.
Beckett settled down after that though. After those two first inning hits, he scattered just two more over his final five innings while striking out a total of nine batters and walking two. With the six shuout innings, he has now thrown 18 1/3 innings without allowing a run, which ties a personal best for him. It also dropped his ERA down to 1.75.
He was able to use all of his pitches last night. His cutter was nasty and that made his changeup and curve all the more better. This was the Beckett we’ve seen before.
I know I’ve said this once before this season but when Beckett is healthy like he is now, he can be one of the most dominating pitchers in the game. He doesn’t throw as hard as he did when he was younger but that doesn’t matter when his stuff was as filthy as it was last night.
Adrian Gonzalez struggled early last night against CC Sabathia but exacted some revenge in the 7th. It was funny too as when Gonzalez came to the plate, ESPN Boston’s Gordon Edes said on Twitter “I predict Gonzo gets him this time”. And sure enough, Edes was right as Gonzalez got his Ichiro on as he homered for the fourth straight game.
It’s also the eighth home run he’s had in the last 11 games. He now has nine home runs on the season as well an AL-best 34 RBIs. Gonzalez is also tied for 7th in the league in hitting at .325 with teammate Jed Lowrie.
Gonzalez could end up being the new Yankees killer just like Jason Bay was when arrived in Boston.
Speaking of Yankees killers, Dustin Pedroia continues to rake against Yankees pitching. He added another three hits last night and that might help him break out of his slump.
With the two straight wins over the Yankees, the Red Sox are now back to within a game of .500. But in the three times they’ve gotten that close this season, they haven’t been able to cross that bridge.
They have the right man on the mound tonight in Jon Lester to get there. They’ll now have to battle the weather gods and the Yankees to get there.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
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(Don’t) walk this way: Why Adrian Gonzalez is living the good life in Boston [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Beckett shines again as Sox dump Yankees [Boston Globe]
Making a lasting impression [Boston Globe]
Posada designates himself a sitter [Boston Globe]
Rivals have suddenly reversed their course [Boston Globe]
Cubs at Fenway: Classic stuff [Boston Globe]
Josh Beckett’s resurgence continues for Sox [Boston Herald]
Ellsbury now an iron man [Boston Herald]
Pinstripes peeve Papi [Boston Herald]
Teixeira, Gonzo go way back [Boston Herald]
Storm clouds gathering in Bronx over Jorge Posada controversy [Boston Herald]
Injured reliever Bobby Jenks on rejoining Red Sox: ‘I’m very close’ [Clubhouse Insider]
Beckett continues domination of Yankees, 6-0 [CSNNE.com]
What a difference a year makes for Beckett [CSNNE.com]
Beckett regains elite status [CSNNE.com]
Red Sox notes: Gonzalez hits unusual homer [CSNNE.com]
Rapid reaction: Red Sox 6, Yankees 0 [ESPN Boston]
Varitek: Let’s wait for ‘truth’ on Posada [ESPN Boston]
‘Ichiro’ Gonzalez? Believe it [ESPN Boston]
Josh Beckett is ‘back with a vengeance’ for the Red Sox [Extra Bases]
Closing Time: Red Sox 6, Yankees 0 [Full Count]
Ortiz on Posada: ‘They’re doing that guy wrong’ [Full Count]
Beckett Dominates Yankees [Hartford Courant]
Red Sox Notebook: Ellsbury Has Something To Prove [Hartford Courant]
Josh Beckett Shines Amid Turmoil at Yankee Stadium [NESN.com]
Adrian Gonzalez Borrows Stroke from Ichiro Suzuki in Latest Display of Power [NESN.com]
Beckett’s hot start continues [Providence Journal]
Posada asks out, while Varitek steps up [Providence Journal]
Gonzalez turns a miss into a hit [Providence Journal]
Storm clouds gathering at Yankee Stadium over Posada affair [Providence Journal]
Red Sox journal: Ellsbury finds his comfort zone [Providence Journal]
Salty showing improvement behind plate [RedSox.com]
Lackey to unveil new windup in next start [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the New York Daily News, New York Post, New York Times and The Journal News websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, NYY Stadium Insider.
