Bombs.

I'm not sure how to explain this game. Its tone kept changing, and things weren't always how the score appeared.

On one side, the Yankees scored a whopping 20 runs. Then their bullpen couldn't shut the door, and the Red Sox scored 11. (20-11, Yankees.)

On one side, Andy Pettitte pitched a gem, only to be thrown off his groove by a 38-minute inning where he watched his team score six runs. He ended up being tagged for five earned runs but still won the game. (20-11, Yankees.)

On one side, poor Michael Bowden allowed seven runs to score and was left in the game for two full innings while the Sox bullpen rested its arms. New York still won by nine, though. (20-11, Yankees.)

On one side, the Yankees scored 20 runs. But they left 19 men on base. (20-11, Yankees.)

On one side, the Yankees had eight doubles from seven players, and everyone got a hit, minus Johnny Damon (injured several pitches into the game) and pinch hitter Jerry Hairston Jr. (walked). But on the other, the Red Sox were able to score 11 runs on 12 hits.

So, it wasn't as lopsided as it looked; this game was confusing throughout.

The Red Sox came in with a seven-game win streak at Fenway, and they looked like a team ready to go after sweeping the Blue Jays. The first inning, when the Yankees loaded the bases, appeared to be nothing more than a fluke (Alex Rodriguez's single was barely a hit). Boston then countered with a Jacoby Ellsbury run, and it looked like a classic Boston out-last-'em type of game.

But really, it turned out it was Boston that was flukish. The Yankees exploded in the top of the second, and Pettitte didn't allow a hit until the last play of the third inning.

[Derogatory comment about the NESN announcers HERE: As the fourth inning started, with zero outs, and Sox starter Brad Penny having finally gone one inning without allowing a run, they said, "Penny has settled down." He was chased early in the fifth.]

Another fluke of the night (or maybe not) was Hideki Matsui showing up to record seven RBI on two homers. I guess that's why he's the New York designated hitter.

[Another derogatory comment about the NESN announcers HERE: Commenting on the Sox finally getting some hits, they said, "They'll scratch and claw their way back into the game with two runs in the fifth." The score at this point was 12-3 Yankees. Granted, Boston did edge closer (if keeping the game within nine runs constitutes "closer"), but really, NESN?]

A-Rod almost hit for the cycle tonight, if not for his plunking the ball off the top of the Green Monster instead of going over it, and for trying to stretch a single and getting tagged out at second. He was breaking up a slump, as were Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano (details with the game recap here).

And finally, Brian Bruney just hasn't been good since he came back from injury. He escaped without an earned run tonight but isn't lights-out anymore.

This 20-run thing is unusual for the Yankees, despite what detractors may say. It's the first time this season they went over 15 runs (which they did once), and their previous high to that was 11 a few times. See their full game results here.

In New York's last four-game sweep of Boston, the first game was a slugfest before the beautiful pitching showed up. With A.J. Burnett, CC Sabathia and Josh Beckett filling out the next two days, that trend may repeat.

The Yankees (77-45) still have the best record in baseball.

Quick lines from tonight:
Hideki Matsui: 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2-for-6
Mark Teixeira: 3-for-5, 3 RBI
Alex Rodriguez: 4-for-4, RBI, triple
Melky Cabrera: 4-for-6, 2 RBI
Derek Jeter: 3-for-6, 2 RBI
Jorge Posada: 2-for-5, 2 RBI
Eric Hinske: 2-for-4, RBI
Nick Swisher: 2-for-6, RBI
Robinson Cano: 1-for-6, RBI
Andy Pettitte: 10th win of the season

Other Yankees Posts