Games 16 to 18 - Make It Ten in a Row for the Sox

Friday – April 24th

For a Red Sox fan it does not get any more exciting than a come from behind win featuring an extra inning walk-off homer and against their arch rivals the Yankees to boot. Starting pitchers, Lester and Chamberlain each yielded two runs. After the Yankees pushed two runs across against Okajima and with a 4-2 lead and two outs in the bottom of the 9th the legendary Mariano Rivera gave up the tying homer to Jason Bay – a rare blown save for Rivera. Enter Kevin Youkillis in the 11th for the walk-off win off Marte.

Final Score: Boston 5 New York 4
Ellsbury Watch: 2 for 6 with a run scored and a steal of 3rd.

Saturday – April 25th

The Fox game started late afternoon and took 4 hours and 21 minutes for the Red Sox improbable 16-11 win. I say improbable because with AJ Burnett on the mound and with the Yankees giving him a six run lead you think game over. Burnett has previously absolutely owned the Sox. The incredible come back featured a grand slam by Tek with 6 RBIs for Lowell and 3 for Bay. It was a slug fest with the lead going back and forth. In the end the Sox prevailed with 4 runs in the 8th. Of concern is the 8 runs given up by ace starter Beckett.

Final Score: Boston 16 New York 11
Ellsbury Watch: 2 for 4 including his first home run, 2 R and a stolen base

Sunday – April 26th

This Sunday Night ESPN game was a gem. Justin Masterson pitched 5.1 giving up only one run. You can not say enough about the bullpen with rookies Hunter Jones and Michael Bowden retiring all 8 Yankees they faced. Meanwhile the Sox came up with 3 runs off Andy Pettitte in the 5th highlighted by Jacoby Ellsbury’s straight steal of home. The steal of home plate is relatively rare and when the fans kept applauding Ellsbury acknowledged them with a tip of his cap from the dugout step. Saito recorded his second save with the Sox. All in all a memorable weekend and a great confidence booster for Sox fans.

Final Score: Boston 4 New York 1
Ellsbury Watch: 1 for 3 with 2 R and the thrilling steal of home - his 10th SB