Yankees Smash Red Sox 9-6 As Sox Hit Rodriguez

The New York Yankees came from behind Sunday night to out slug the Boston Red Sox 9-6 in a wild see-saw battle that saw emotions erupt. Manager Joe Girardi was ejected after he became enraged when Boston pitcher Ryan Dempster hit Alex Rodriguez with a pitch in the back.

“You can’t start throwing at people,” Girardi said. “Lives are changed by getting hit by pitches. Whether I agree with everything that’s going on, you do not throw at people and you don’t take the law into your own hands. You don’t do that. We’re going to skip the judicial system? It’s ‘My Cousin Vinny.'”

Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Rodriguez, who went three for four on the night, glared  at Dempster as he headed to first base. He labeled Dempster’s action as unprofessional and questioned his sanity.

“Whether you like me or hate me, that was wrong,” Rodriguez said. “It was unprofessional and silly. Kind of a silly way to get somebody hurt on your team as well. Today kind of brought us together.”

In the sixth inning, the Yankees unleashed their revenge. Rodriguez smashed his 649th career home run. Brett Gardner followed with a three run bases-clearing triple. Neither attempted to contain his emotions, roaring strongly to the dismay of Red Sox fans.

“How could it not get you fired up?” Gardner said. “We know that we’re at a point in the season where we’ve got to play every game like it’s our last, and we were able to win the series.”

A concern for the Yankees  is that once again CC Sabathia struggled, allowing six runs in 5 1/3 innings. He gave up seven hits and walked five more. One of the hits was a home run to Boston’s Will Middlebrooks.

I felt pretty good; throwing the ball pretty well, and I felt good,” Sabathia said. “I just got behind some guys and wasn’t able to make pitches, but I’m glad we got the win.”

With the Yankees up 8-6 in the ninth, Chris Stewart picked up an RBI to provide an additional insurance run.

David Robertson pitched a scoreless eighth innining. Yankees fans are pleased that Mariano Rivera entered in the ninth to pick up his 36th save. After an extended rest, Rivera seems to have regained his Hall of Fame form.