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FINAL: Yankees 8, Red Sox 7

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 slam it shut in any situation.

But at a time when they needed that success to continue, Okajima and Papelbon imploded in one catastrophic inning, allowing six runs to score before a single out was recorded in the eighth as the Yankees rallied from a 7-2 deficit and posted an 8-7 victory Friday night at Fenway Park.

The game last four hours and 43 minutes.

The Red Sox took a 7-2 lead into the eighth, but the Yankees scored six, starting with back-to-back solo home runs by Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano off Okajima.

The Japanese left-hander surrendered four runs on three hits in one-third 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 as it snapped the right-hander's 16 2/3 innings scoreless streak.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:12 PM | Permalink

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Jonah Falcon | September 15, 2007 12:20 AM link

Southern Yankee | September 15, 2007 12:50 AM link