Recap: NY Yankees vs. Boston
Sports Network | August 28, 2008
Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Jason Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the seventh inning to tie the game and singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, as the New York Yankees salvaged the finale of a three- game series against the Boston Red Sox with a 3-2 victory in what was likely the last meeting between these storied rivals at Yankee Stadium. Not only did the Yankees manage to avoid a sweep, but they likely saved their season. A loss would have left New York eight games behind Boston in the AL wild card race, but the victory enabled the Yankees to pull within six games with 29 to play. The teams will also meet for three games at Fenway Park to conclude the season in September. Boston starter Jon Lester cruised into the seventh inning with a four-hitter and a 2-0 lead. He retired the first two batters of the inning before Cody Ransom's double into the left field corner ended the lefty's day. Hideki Okajima took the mound for Boston and Giambi, pinch hitting for Jose Molina, clubbed an 0-1 pitch over the center field wall for his 27th homer to tie the game. The Red Sox stranded a runner at second base in the top of the ninth against Mariano Rivera (5-5) and the Yankees won it in the bottom of the inning. Xavier Nady led off the home ninth against Justin Masterson (4-4) with a single up the middle. After Robinson Cano failed to bunt and lined out to third, pinch runner Brett Gardner stole second and Hideki Matsui was given an intentional walk. Ivan Rodriguez drew another free pass to load the bases for Giambi, who greeted closer Jonathan Papelbon with a single to center on an 0-2 pitch to plate Gardner with the winning run. Lester was brilliant for Boston, charged with one run and five hits over 6 2/3 innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out eight. Mike Mussina started for New York and left after seven solid innings. He yielded two runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Game Notes Game Notes
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