Red Sox have the ‘Wright’ Stuff

Dice-K opens the game with a called strike. The fans seem to be neglectful of Johnny Damon as they are enthused with #18 on the mound.

Spring has sprung in New England, as the nice weather will hopefully get the BoSox’ lineup hitting to support their starter.

Daisuke seems unfazed by the Yankees lineup; he is challenging every hitter thus far, though he walks Abreu. Matsuzaka challenges A-Rod upstairs and nick’s the 3B on the extra padding on his elbow. Giambi hits to the gap, no chance for the slow-footed fielders, Pena in center and Manny in right. 1-0 Yanks after top of first.

With the Red Sox 73% career base stealer at first, Julio Lugo gets a lot of attention from Rookie pitcher Chase Wright throwing over to 1B, four times, Lugo breaks for second and steals without a throw from Wil Nieves who is playing for Jorge Posada.

Yanks new starter gets out of the jam, as he dominates Drew with the lefty on lefty match up.
The Red Sox are having their tribute to Jackie Robinson today as the game scheduled on the 15th was postponed due to weather. David Ortiz is sporting #42 for tonight’s contest.

Yankee hitters are smacking the ball but Red Sox fielders are just in the right spots tonight.
Pedroia gets the first hit against #38 which advances Wily Mo Pena to third after he walked with 2 outs. Lugo dribbles one to Jeter at short to end the inning, 2-0 Yankees.

After a ground ball that was slightly misdirected by the left ankle of Daisuke, with Damon on first, Dice-K beans Jeter as he tried to go inside once again pitching from the stretch. MLB is more willing to pitch inside and wants to go there a lot more than in Japan I am told. That may be why Matsuzaka is having troubles with location, inside to the Yankee batters.

18 calms down to strike out A-Rod with a cutter inside. Giambi steps up, runners 1st and 3rd with 2 outs, with the shift for Jason Giambi; Pedroia couldn’t come down with it in short RF, giving the Yankees a run, 3-0 with runners on first and third now. Cano disgusted as he swings for some high-heat for the third out in the top third.

Two quick outs in the bottom third, Manny hits one deep and gone, 3-1. Wow, now JD Drew has hit one full of meaning over the shorter part of the green wall. Consecutive shots to make this a one run game. “No way”, Lowell goes for a round tripper to tie this one up at three. The fans are on their feet. Manny loving that shot. Varitek steps up, OH MY GOODNESS THEY TAKE THE LEAD, 4-3 WITH FOUR HOMERUNS BACK TO BACK TO BACK TO BACK; I cannot remember seeing this before all with 2 outs. Wily Mo Pena steps up with his burgeoning power, strikes out after an inning for the record books. I can’t think of a better way to pump up a team as 4/9 take Wright deep.

Nothing doing in the fourth inning as both teams strand their base runners.

While talking with Manager Terry Francona he stated that in regards to the four consecutive homeruns “we have been economical with our swings”. Daisuke is taken over the 37 foot wall in left to start the fifth, 4-4 after Jeter’s HR.
After walking two the Yankees get out of this half inning unscathed.

Yankees score in the sixth with runners on the corners, when they hit into a DP to score to take the lead 5-4.
Andy Pettite appears in relief after pitching against the Red Sox for a no decision.

Matsuzaka starts the seventh with the top of the order up. Damon, Jeter and Abreu all sent down as LHP JC Romero warms.
Scott Proctor on in the bottom 7th, Drew doubles after Manny’s single. Mike Lowell goes for his second HR for a 7-5 Red Sox lead, which ends Proctor’s night abruptly.

Dice-K with the lead tackles the 4, 5 and 6 hitters. Okajima in now with A-Rod’s bloop single ending Matsuzaka’s night though he is now in line for the victory. Hideki loads the bases and gets replaced by Donnelly who will try to preserve the lead with one out so far. Yanks score A-Rod as NYY break up the double play. Now have runners on the corners w/ 2 outs. BoSox get out of inning with score line 7-6 as Pedroia stole a hit. Bottom eighth, Boston leaves two on.

Jonathan Papelbon time @ Fenway to close out and save this one. Damon flies out to Manny, one away. Jeter is booed heavily as he walks up to bat, Derek swings through strike three. Bobby Abreu walks to put the go ahead run at the plate in Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez grounds out to make it a clean sweep for the first time in 17 years at Fenway Park. #18 gets the win, Lowell gets player of the game with his 2

Written by Scott Penny