9/25 Game 2: The 14th Inning Stretch

Even though the lineup in Game 2 was completely different than that in Game 1 (with the exception of Dickerson), the offense picked up right where it left off. The Yankees jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st following a 2-run Teixeira double and some poor defense from Boston that allowed Teix to score on the play.

Unfortunately the bats went silent after that. The Red Sox took a 4-3 lead in the 7th but couldn’t hold on, and a Dickerson sac fly in the bottom half of that inning tied it up. In true Yankees/Red Sox fashion the game lasted FOREVER – going 14 innings in just over 5 hours.

For the most part the bullpen performed well and showed why it is the best in the league, with Logan, Soriano, Mo, Valdes, Wade, and Laffey combining to pitch 7.0 scoreless innings before Scott Proctor gave up a 3-run homer to Ellsbury in the top of the 14th. This time the Red Sox managed to hold on to the lead and chalked up a 7-4 win.

Although there was plenty of drama in tonight’s game because of the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry, the game was ultimately meaningless to the Yankees in terms of the playoffs and Joe Girardi certainly didn’t forget it. With Austin Romine at the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of ninth Girardi opted to let him hit instead of going to the bench for A-Rod, Jeter, Jones, or Martin. Girardi chose to sink or swim with his original lineup, and a bad pitch in the 14th inning eventually sunk them. But this game certainly doesn’t mean that the Yankees are rolling over and simply waiting for the season to end. Instead, today’s games make it clear that Girardi’s priority is making sure his regulars are well rested going into the playoffs. After all, that is a luxury you get when your team clinches the division and home-field advantage early.