by Tim Kabel
July 9, 2022
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The Yankees played the second game of a four-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park last night. Oddly, this was the Yankees’ first time visiting Boston and only their second series against the Red Sox this season. The season is halfway over and before this series, the Yankees and Red Sox had only played three games against each other.
It was a Friday night game, which means it was an Amazon Prime game. That usually means that after an inning or so, my TV freezes, and I have to listen to the game on the radio with John and Suzyn. I had a trick up my sleeve this time. Because I live in Connecticut, I get NESN. It was weird watching the game on the Red Sox network. It was like listening to a broadcast of Tokyo Rose during World War II. Still, listening to Dennis Eckersley cheering for the Red Sox was preferable to watching a frozen screen.
This was not a pretty game. It was an ugly win. It was an old-fashioned donnybrook. It was great to see the Yankees add on runs as the game went on.
Quick Stats:
The Yankees have 143 home runs through their first 84 games.
The Yankees are 28-13 against teams with records above .500.
Matt Carpenter has 9 home runs in 70 plate appearances.
The Yankees have a 15-game lead in the division after just 84 games, which is the fewest games to do so in franchise history.
On July 8, 1921, an order was issued allowing fans to keep balls hit into the stands. Imagine if you still had to give them back.
The Big Story:
As frequently happens in Fenway Park, last night’s game became a war of attrition. The Yankees managed to outlast the Red Sox. This was the type of game the Yankees would have lost in 2021. Last night, they did what they had to do to win the game.
When I was a kid, if my mom had a rare mishap in the kitchen and a cake split for example, my father would always say," it doesn’t matter what it looks like, it tastes just as good.” That philosophy applies to games like last night’s. Nestor Cortes did not have it. Albert Abreu wasn’t sharp. However, Lucas Luetge saved the day and Miguel Castro also pitched the Yankees out of a jam. The offense piled on and scored 12 runs. Whenever the Red Sox attempted to come back, the Yankees just pulled further away. It doesn’t matter how it looked; the victory tasted just as sweet.
Player of the Game:
Matt Carpenter (starting in the outfield for the second time this week) had three hits, including yet another home run.
Notable Performances:
Josh Donaldson set the tone again, following his grand slam on Thursday with a three-run home run last night.
Lucas Luetge pitched 3.1 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts for the save.
Better to Forget:
Nestor Cortes’ outing. Tonight, he was an Empty Nestor. It happens.
My Take:
The Yankees continue to dominate the league. (I know at this point, they have a losing record against the Astros but, they still have two games left with them.) The Yankees' record is 61-23, and they have a 15-game lead in the division. If this team played .500 ball for the rest of the year; they would still win exactly 100 games. Obviously, no one expects they will play .500 ball, and no one would be happy with that. It would be a major disappointment. The point is they have been so dominant that this is clearly a special season. It is unlike any year in recent memory
There are going to be games when one element or another of the team is not particularly good. That has already happened this season. What makes this team unique as compared to recent incarnations, is that when there is a weakness in one area, someone else steps forward to pick up the baton. They get contributions from the whole roster. There are stars but, the Yankees are also getting heroics from unlikely sources. Matt Carpenter was not even on this team at the beginning of the year. Now, he is hitting the cover off the ball, with nine home runs in just a handful of games. Aaron Boone has to figure out ways to get him in the lineup. Even Aaron Hicks, whom I have often criticized, has had a few excellent games recently. Hopefully, he can do this consistently. Usually, Hicks has one or two islands of success amidst an almost endless sea of failure. Almost everyone on the team has made a positive impact at some point. This season, the Yankees’ train just keeps chugging along, headed toward October.
Next Up:
Tonight, the Yankees continue the series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park at 7:15 PM. Boston’s Kutter Crawford (2-2 5.04 ERA) will face Jordan Montgomery (3-2 3.19 ERA).
