The starting pitchers turned in masterful performances in the series opener, with Joba Chamberlain staying a move ahead of Josh Beckett in a 1-0 Yankees victory. Chamberlain (3-3) allowed only three hits in seven innings, while striking out a career-high nine and walking only one. Kyle Farnsworth and Mariano Rivera (26th save) finished up to send the Sox to their second 1-0 defeat of the season (the other being a May 28 loss in Seattle).
The Red Sox fell a game behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East, while New York remains three games back of the Rays (two shy of the Sox). The Yankees further bolstered their playoff chances during the game by acquiring outfielder Xavier Nady and lefty reliever Damaso Marte from Pittsburgh in exchange for four minor leaguers. The Sox were among the many teams interested in Marte.
Beckett, a winner in each of his previous three starts against the Yankees this season, allowed only a third-inning run and scattered nine hits in seven innings. He struck out six, including five on curveballs, stranded seven baserunners and held the Yankees to only one hit in eight at-bats with runners in scoring position. Beckett threw first-pitch strikes to 21-of-29 batters and went to only four three-ball counts.
The Red Sox continued to offer unreliable offensive support for their ace. They have scored only eight runs when he has been in the game in his seven losses but have piled on 64 runs in his nine wins. Against Chamberlain, the Sox managed to advance only two runners past first base. The game’s only run was scored in the third on three consecutive, two-out singles by Bobby Abreu, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi. Abreu and Rodriguez found open spots in center field, while Giambi benefited from a drastic, pull-hitter shift to the right side with a checked-swing, infield single to the left. Shortstop Jed Lowrie was positioned to the right side of second base and had no chance to make a play on the slow roller, which would have been right at him under normal defensive alignments.
Designated hitter David Ortiz went 1-for-4 in his return from the disabled list.
Nation Notes: The Red Sox have had it with Manny Ramirez, Ramirez sat out last night’s game against the Yankees after telling Sox management he had a sore knee. The admission by Ramirez came after manager Terry Francona had already penciled the slugger’s name into the lineup. The Sox were forced to juggle the lineup, and despite the return of David Ortiz, lost the game, 1-0. Ramirez had an MRI on his knee yesterday, which came up clean. It’s hard for anyone but Ramirez to know how his knee truly feels. However the owners are mad, the manager and GM are frustrated. Teammates are angry.
