In the wake of one of the year’s best games—do we expect anything less from this great rivalry—the Yankees and Red Sox will be at it again tonight in the Bronx at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Boston (85-57) listed Felix Doubront as the night’s starting pitcher. The lefty had had moderate success on the year, going 10-6 with a 3.89 ERA but has struggled of late. In his last outing, he struggled mightily, managing only 3.2 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs.
Tonight was not much better, as he again went 3.2 innings, giving up six runs. He could not continue his good fortune on the road, where was 5-2 with a 3.82 ERA before tonight. Of the Yankees available for the night’s game, only Eduardo Nunez had at least 10 at-bats and an average over .200 (he has 15 at-bats and .333 AVG). Nunez again hurt Doubront, including a key triple in the second inning.
On the bump for the Yankees was veteran lefty Andy Pettitte, who was looking to build on his recent successes. In his last 25.2 innings he had allowed just six runs.
However, three players on the Red Sox active roster had had pretty good success against Pettitte, most notably Jonny Gomes (.474), Mike Napoli (.368) and David Ortiz (.435). Pettitte pitched well, leaving the game after six innings of work with a five-run lead.
Both teams had been playing great baseball since their last series back in mid-August. Before Thursday night’s game, the Red Sox were 11-4 and the Yankees were 11-5.
Friday saw some more magic and yet another chapter of this great rivalry. Despite a great start by the Yankees offense and pitching for the first six innings, the Sox scored nine unanswered runs to end the game and complete yet another comeback win against their rivals from the Bronx.
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