Red Sox starter Josh Beckett threw eight innings against the Yankees on Sunday night. When Beckett throws 8 innings, you expect the Red Sox to win. But, his earned run total matched his innings total as the Yankees picked up 8 runs on 9 hits, ending the day with a team left on base of only 2.

The Yankees were hitting the long ball. Solo homers by Matsui (two of them), Derek Jeter (on the first pitch of the game) and Robinson Cano and a two run shot by Alex Rodriguez (that scored Johnny Damon) accounted for six of the runs.

The other two came in the third when Mark Teixiera singled in Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez grounded out, allowing Damon to score.

It wasn't a smooth, slick CC Sabathia performance, but though he labored, he got the job done. It took him 118 pitches to get through 6.2 innings, in which he allowed 4 runs, 3 earned, on 8 hits and no walks, while striking out 8. Also noteworthy is he managed to pick Jacoby Ellsbury off of first base after the Red Sox leadoff hitter had reached on an error by Cano.

Phil Hughes threw 1.1 innings scoreless and Mariano Rivera, pitching outside of a save situation, did the same in the ninth. Mo's ERA is now 1.87, the lowest it's been since before he had allowed a run this season. Likewise, Phil Hughes ERA of 3.33 is the lowest it's been since his second appearance of the season. Sabathia gets win number 15.

The Yankees leave Boston with a 7.5 game lead and the Red Sox with a 1 game lead in the Wild Card race. New York also leads the league in home runs on the road, with 83, says Joel Sherman (via Peter Abraham).

The team will get Monday off, but will be back in action on Tuesday at 7:05 PM ET when Joba Chamberlain (8-3, 3.98) goes against Kevin Millwood (9-8, 3.48).

Recap records: Seamus: 36–22, Patrick: 33–14, Andrew: 9–10 (Seamus gets credit for this one)