Manny Saves the Day and Jesus Delivers!
By Joe Davis
Another classic game between the Red Sox and Yankees ended in heartbreak. This time for the New York Yankees!
The table was set, Bronson Arroyo, the starting pitcher of the controversial July 24th brawl game versus the seeming unbeatable Effus pitching Orlando Hernandez.
With one on in the first, Manny Ramirez stepped up to the plate. He hit a deep shot to left field. At first glance, it appeared that Manny had hit a home run. But as Manny crossed 1st base, El Duque with the rest of the Yankees squad started running towards 3rd base umpire, Tim Timmons. Umpires Hunter Wendestedt, Mike Winters, Bruce Froemming and Tim Timmons gathered together and overturned the home run.
In the top of the 3rd, Johnny “Jesus” Damon stepped up to the plate. El Duque left a fastball up and in and Damon slapped it over the wall for a home run.
In the bottom of the 4th, Jorge Posada grounded out to first, scoring Alex Rodríguez. Thus, tying the game at one a piece.
Then in the bottom of the 5th, John Olerud hit a scorcher into the right field seats. The Yankees now led 2-1. However, the next batter was Miguel Cairo. Cairo decided he wanted to hit a home run. But Manny Ramirez, thought differently. Well, you might be saying, well Manny always thinks different. Manny decided he would steal the home run from Cairo.
As the ball was going into the seats, Manny leaped and caught the ball inches in front of a unlucky Red Sox couple. Who after, were caught NOT-interferring with the play, were ejected.
Manny Ramirez isn’t usually known for his defense but he proved many people wrong tonight — likely saving the lives of many Boston fans.
Now, fast-forwarding into the 9th. The Red Sox were down by a run and it seemed over with the greatest closer of all time coming to the mound, right? Wrong again.
Mariano Rivera entered with a 2-1 lead, but didn’t leave with it.
Trot Nixon led off the top of the 9th with a walk. Dave Roberts was sent to pinch run for Nixon. Jason Varitek struck out but allowed Roberts to move up to second. Then Kevin Millar was hit by a pitch. Gabe Kapler ran for Millar.
Orlando Cabrera came up with 1 out and runners at first and second. It was just two months prior, when the other shortstop was sulking on the bench after Terry Francona declined to put him in to play. But Orlando was playing and he delivered. He singled to right and Dave Roberts scored from second base.
Game Tied, 2-2.
Kevin Youkilis then struck out. Johnny Damon came up to the plate and delivered the finishing blow to the New York Yankees. He blooped a single, similar to Luis Gonzalez’s hit in the 2001 World Series versus Mariano Rivera. Kapler came around from second to score as Kenny Lofton bobbled the ball in center field.
3-2.
Keith Foulke enters.
Jorge Posada led off the inning and flied out to Johnny Damon. Jason Giambi struck out swinging and then John Olerud struck out to end the game.
The Red Sox had won another remarkable game versus the New York Yankees.
The Red Sox now lead the season series 9-5 and have 5 games remaining versus the Yankees this year.
Boston now trails the Yankees by 2.5 games in the division.
Derek Lowe and Jon Lieber will pitch tomorrow's matinee game and will most likely be rained out. Pedro Martinez and Mike Mussina will pitch the Sunday game in the crucial series.
