Yanks Go Yard Recap: Bullpen Implosion Dooms New York Yankees

The rock of the team all year long had been a shutdown bullpen. Now, with the season hanging in the balance, that rock is turning into a bunch of pebbles. The bridge to Mariano Rivera is crumbling faster than the Tappan Zee’s. (seriously, look it up). With guys like Shawn Kelley and David Robertson unavailable, the team couldn’t protect a lead with seven outs to go and lost it’s second game of the series to the Red Sox 12-8.

Sep 6, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher

(48) reacts to the grand slam hit by Boston Red Sox first baseman

(not pictured) in the 7th inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

The Yanks got to Felix Doubront right away. With one out in the first, Derek Jeter walked and Alfonso Soriano blasted his 30th homer of the year. The Sox got one of those runs back in the second when Mike Napoli singled and Daniel Nava walked off Andy Pettitte. David Ross would bring in Napoli with a single.

The Yanks would come back with two more. Vernon Wells led off with a walk and Eduardo Nunez drove him home with a triple. Two batters later, Chris Stewart would bring in Nunez with a sac fly. Napoli would lead to more offense in the Red Sox fourth when he doubled, and scored on a groundout by Stephen Drew.

In the bottom half, Brett Gardner brought home two with a triple. The fifth inning had more action. The Sox got one when Will Middlebrooks led off with his 14th homer of the season. The Yankees would get two more on RBI singles by Wells and Mark Reynolds.

Then came the seventh and Phil Hughes was brought in for Pettitte. Ross and Shane Victorino would single and Mike Carp would walk to load the bases. Dustin Pedroia would get an infield hit to bring home a run. Enter Boone Logan. After a strikeout, Napoli would put a great at bat together and hit a grand slam to tie the game.

The Sox took the lead for good in the eighth off Preston Claiborne. Middlebrooks singled and Shane Victorino followed with his 14th homer of the year. After a single, Joba Chamberlain entered. Three straight walks (one intentional) would lead to another run. Drew’s singled would score one more.

YGY Player Of The Game: Napoli

David Huff will make his first Yankee start at 1:05 against John Lackey.

Notes: Logan left the game with a triceps injury and will have an MRI Saturday. Robertson is out for a week after an MRI showed tendonitis. Matt Daley had his contract purchased and Corban Joseph was transferred to the 60 day DL