Never A Dull Moment In Yankees/Red Sox Series

This weekend was the first series for the season between the Yankees and the Red Sox. The match-up took place at Fenway Park. As usual, there was a ton of hype over the series with many familiar faces set to square off, as well as some new faces to enter into the mix. Things started off with David Ortiz initiating a warning to Friday's starting pitcher Joba Chamberlain to not even try to throw at any of them.

Chamberlain has a little history of buzzing Kevin Youkalis up and in, but considering that Pedro Martinez sent Alfonso Soriano and Derek Jeter to the HOSPITAL in the SAME game during one Yankees/Red Sox match-up, a little chin music is small beans.

Friday night the Yankees had an early 2-0 against Jon Lester, and then went up 4-2. They had the lead into the 9th inning. Now, the catch in this whole thing is that Brian Bruney normally pitches the 8th inning...but for some reason he didn't come out, he wasn't even in the bullpen. Mariano Rivera ended up having to get four outs for the first time this season.

He had two outs in the ninth with a runner on first, and gave up a game tying home run to Jason Bay. It's always shocking when Mo blows a save considering every year despite his age he seems to just get better and better.

The Yankees had their opportunities in the extra innings, but couldn't push the run across. In the bottom of the 11th, Damaso Marte with his bloated ERA gave up the game winning home run to Kevin Youkalis. Talk about leaving a bad taste in your mouth.

Next came what was supposed to be the best pitching match-up of the weekend. A.J. Burnett and Josh Beckett. Two former Marlins and two amazing pitchers were going to face off against each other.

Beckett was all over the place from the start. His usual pin point control wasn't there and the Yankees got an early lead. By the fourth inning it was 6-0. Burnett seemed to be cruising... and then all hell broke loose.

Burnett got into a bases loaded jam, and Jason Varitek hit a grand slam. All of a sudden the game was close at 6-5. And then it got really out of control.

I was actually out having dinner and I couldn't believe what was going on. The Red Sox managed to tie the game at 6, and then went ahead 7-6. The following inning the Yankees came back and scored two runs to make it 8-7. The Red Sox tied it again at 8 and then went up 9-8. The Yankees fought back and took the lead 11-9. The Red Sox weren't finished yet. By the eigth inning, they scored seven more runs and won the game 16-11.

I find it interesting that a game that was supposed to feature two of the team's best pitchers and result in a low scoring game, resulted in a high scoring game and neither team's bullpen could keep the lead safe for long.

It just goes to show you that anything can happen in a Yankees/Red Sox game. Currently, Andy Pettitte is facing off against the young Justin Masterson. It's Sunday Night Baseball so I'm anticipating some fireworks. Hopefully not extra innings...work tomorrow and I'm tired.

Let's go Yankees!!