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September 15, 2007
BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer
BOSTON -- Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon have been the kingpins in the bullpen for the Boston Red Sox this season.
Anytime that door swung open in the late innings of a game it was a given the pair of relievers would simply shut the door in any situation.
At a time when the Red Sox needed that trend to continue, Okajima and Papelbon succumbed to New York in one catastrophic inning as the Yankees staged a dramatic comeback en route to an 8-7 victory Friday night at Fenway Park. The game lasted four hours and 43 minutes.
The Red Sox held a 7-2 lead heading into the top of the eighth inning, but the Yankees scored six runs, including a pair of back-to-back solo home runs by Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano to start the inning off Okajima.
The Japanese left-hander surrendered four runs on three hits in 1/3 of an inning, while Papelbon gave up two runs on three hits in that eighth inning as New York gained an 8-7 advantage.
For Papelbon, he entered the game having retired 18 of the last 19 batters he’s faced in his last six appearances, but New York got to him tonight as it snapped the right-hander's 16 2/3 innings scoreless streak.
''It’s definitely uncharacteristic,” said Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis of the bullpen’s failures. ''They are human and they are going to have that happen. Unfortunately it was today in a game like that, but for us, we can’t get too down on them. They’re going to go out there the next time and pitch well. They are going to have ups and downs and unfortunately it was tonight they had the down. They’ve done a great job for us all year and we can’t get too upset with them.”
Red Sox catcher and captain Jason Varitek had a good view of what was unfolding in front of him in the eighth inning.
“They took some good swings and capitalized on some mistakes,” he said. “We weren’t able to stop it.”
Before the Red Sox needed to summon their bullpen, starter Daisuke Matsuzaka was solid. With the work load he’s had to deal with this season, something he wasn’t accustomed to in Japan, there’s been some concern whether he’s tiring at this point of the season. Red Sox manager Terry Francona has said publicly the club is not overly worried about it, and even if it was, Dice-K answered those questions last night.
He worked 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and threw a total of 120 pitches (64 strikes).
“He pitched with a lot of heart,” said Francona. “He competed real well against a very good lineup.”
New York manager Joe Torre was a bit of a soothsayer early last evening when he said you never know what is going to happen when these two teams meet. He said the clubs have mutual respect for each other, and that the energy level will always be high.
He’s always said games are never over at Fenway Park until the last out is made, no matter how long the game lasts.
“No question,” he said following his club’s win. “It wasn’t one of our better efforts, but it sure was a great result for us. We gave away so much, we had so many opportunities to do some damage and we lucked out. That eighth inning was incredible. . . We never gave up the fact that we could win.”
With two games remaining in this three-game set, the Yankees cut their deficit to 4 ½ games in the A.L. East standings.
The Red Sox said they’re not concerned with any momentum New York might think it has after Friday night’s stunning victory.
“We’ll see what this team has and we’ll come out ready to play (on Saturday),” said Varitek. “Any loss is crushing, but we need to pull ourselves together and go back out there and be ready to play.”
Posted by Joe McDonald 
at 12:46 AM | Permalink
Nashua | September 15, 2007 1:42 AM link
Frank Fanelli | September 15, 2007 8:57 AM link
andres | September 15, 2007 9:35 AM link
- Sox Can't Beat Yanks Again -
Once again the sox WASTE a good pitching performance. Matsuzaka pitches well, gets some runs (7), which have been scarce to non-existent for him this year and Still the sox can't beat the Yankees! Remember the last time the sox had a win over the mighty Yanks? Nope, you can't, it's been that long. If this sox team can (and OH I Mean Can!) make the playoffs, they won't get to the World Series. They ain't got what it takes. Lack of timely hitting, lack of hitters, lack of sure glove fielders, lack of almost everything, including heart! They ain't got IT. Be afraid Pink Hat Nation, be very afraid. This team, though good, They Ain't That Good! And Don't give me that Remember '2004' Baloney. This 2007 team isn't even anywhere as good as that 2004 squad. Let's see, what's the mantra for this year, "Best record in the major leagues." Kind of sounds like Duquette's "More Days In First Place", "More Days with the Best record in the major leagues" hmmmm
"More Days In First Place", "More Days with the Best record in the major leagues" And More Days golfing, fishing and watching some other team on the tube playing in the World Series.
Nashua