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Jacoby Ellsbury Steals Show as Red Sox Sweep Yankees, Win 10th Straight

Posted Apr 27, 2009 1:31AM By Andrew Johnson (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Red Sox, Yankees, AL East

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Jacoby EllsburyIt might be a tough Monday morning in Yankeeland.

It's not just that they were swept by the hated Red Sox in Fenway Park. It's that their all-world closer, Mariano Rivera, coughed up a two-run lead with two outs in the ninth inning en route a 5-4 11-inning loss Friday night. It's that $82.5 million free-agent addition A.J. Burnett was gifted a six-run lead Saturday afternoon and he blew it, only to be matched by the bullpen in a 16-11 loss. It's that to add insult to a number of injuries, Jacoby Ellsbury stole home -- on a straight steal no less -- against Andy Pettitte Sunday night to cap off the sweep.

In a town like New York where the pressure is always on, it's bad enough to get swept. It's much worse to have it happen because of blown saves, flat-out lousy pitching and a mental error by a veteran starting pitcher.

There will be plenty of external pressure on the team, and particularly Joe Girardi, who is essentially managing for his job this year, but the internal pressure is much more acute and real.

Angel Berroa (.305 career on-base percentage) is the team's regular third baseman until Alex Rodriguez returns now that Cody Ransom is on the 60-day disabled list.

The pitching staff is in the midst of a makeover with setup man Brian Bruney and starter Chien-Ming Wang also placed on the disabled list over the weekend. Phil Hughes will get the first crack at filling in for Wang Tuesday night, while rookie Mark Melancon, who threw two scoreless frames in his major league debut Sunday, has been added to a bullpen looking for a reliable source of innings beyond closer Mariano Rivera.



And while it's far too early to call GM Brian Cashman's latest attempt to overhaul the pitching staff a failure, Yankee fans should be worried. Burnett and CC Sabathia have yet to live up to expectations, but there is reason to think they will eventually. The bullpen, on the other hand, looks like a disaster. Even though the Yankees have moved away from expensive free-agent relievers, they still haven't been able to build a sturdy bridge to Rivera.

New York entered Sunday night's game with a 6.68 bullpen ERA, the third worst mark in the majors. The Red Sox? They led all of a baseball with a collective 2.57 ERA from their relievers.

That probably says it all.

The Yankees have never had a problem making a big splash in free agency to shore up a glaring need (Sabathia, Burnett, Mark Teixeira), but in the last few years it seems like they've repeatedly overlooked the smaller details.

New York has battled its share of adversity this season, but Boston has as well. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jed Lowrie, Julio Lugo and Rocco Baldelli are among the key contributors who have been sidelined early on, and John Smoltz is still weeks away from joining the team.

But the Red Sox have made it a point to stockpile depth. They have almost two full rotations of major league-ready pitching between Boston, Triple-A Pawtucket and the disabled list and a number of useful, flexible position players at the ready.

There is still a long way to go in 2009, and it's unlikely anyone has heard the last of the Yankees, but for now at least, the Red Sox clearly have the upper hand.

Red Sox Snapshots

    Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, left, is hugged by teammate David Ortiz as manager Terry Francona, second from right, smiles and yells after their 16-11 victory over the New York Yankees at a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston Saturday, April 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

    AP

    BOSTON - APRIL 25: Mike Lowell #25 of the Boston Red Sox hits a throw run home run celebrates teammates Jason Bay #44 and Kevin Youkilis #20 against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park, April 25, 2009, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Lowell;Jason Bay;Kevin Youkilis

    Getty Images

    BOSTON - APRIL 25: Jonathan Albaladejo #63 of the New York Yankees paces the mound moments before giving up a three-run home run to Mike Lowell #25 of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, April 25, 2009, in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 16-11.(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jonathan Albaladejo

    Getty Images

    Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell, right, is congratulated by pitcher Jonathan Papelbon after beating the New York Yankees 16-11 in their MLB baseball game at Fenway Park, Saturday, April 25, 2009, in Boston. Lowell had six RBI's in the game. At rear right is first baseman Kevin Youkilis. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

    AP

    Boston Red Sox fans cheer as closer Jonathan Papelbon, left, pumps his fist after New York Yankees Robinson Cano flew out to end the ninth inning of their MLB baseball game at Fenway Park, Saturday, April 25, 2009, in Boston. The Red Sox beat the Yankees 16-11. At right rounding third is Yankee's Derek Jeter. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

    AP

    BOSTON - APRIL 25: Manager Joe Girardi #27 of the New York Yankees confers with his infield while waiting for a pitching change against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, April 25, 2009, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Girardi

    Getty Images

    Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima of Japan pitches against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning of their American League MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts April 25, 2009. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

    Reuters

    Boston Red Sox Mike Lowell and Dustin Pedroia (R) congratulate each other after defeating the New York Yankees in their American League MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts April 25, 2009. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

    Reuters

    BOSTON - APRIL 25: Jorge Posada #20 of the New York Yankees is caught in a run down as Ramon Ramirez #56 of the Boston Red Sox guards the base path along third at Fenway Park, April 25, 2009, in Boston, Massachusetts. Posada was out on the play. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jorge Posada;Ramon Ramirez

    Getty Images

    New York Yankees left fielder Johnny Damon walks past the scoreboard after Boston Red Sox Mike Lowell hit a 3-RBI double during the eighth inning of their American League MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts April 25, 2009. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES SPORT BASEBALL)

    Reuters

Tags: andy+pettitte, AndyPettitte, brian+cashman, BrianCashman, jacoby+ellsbury, JacobyEllsbury, joe+girardi, JoeGirardi, mark+melancon, MarkMelancon

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