08/29: Yankees vs. Red Sox; 8/29/08
Posted by: James
Well, if the Yankees had lost this game, it would have just added insult to injury. However, and thanks to Jason Giambi and Mike Mussina, the Yankees were able to salvage a game in the series that ended (more or less) their playoff viability.
Mussina unfortunately didn't get the win and will now have to get very fortunate to get to the magical 20...but was very effective nonetheless, giving up only 2 runs in the appearance.
It looked like it would be just another offense-fueled Yankee loss (not that they didn't have opportunities...they just didn't capitalize) but the bottom of the seventh was a nice change-of-pace. With two outs, Cody Ransom doubled and rather than have Jose Molina face Hideki Okajima, Joe Girardi wrote in Jason Giambi as a pinch-hitter. The Giambino came through and tied the game up by knocking the ball out of the park.
In the 9th, with Justin Masterson pitching (curious that Papelbon didn't start the inning), Xavier Nady singled (Brett Gardner pinch-ran and took second by stealing), Hideki Matsui was intentionally walked and Pudge Rodriguez worked the unintentional walk. Bases loaded and now the Red Sox call in Papelbon to face Jason Giambi...and he delivered once again. His single to center plated Brett Gardner and gave the Yankees the win.
Mussina unfortunately didn't get the win and will now have to get very fortunate to get to the magical 20...but was very effective nonetheless, giving up only 2 runs in the appearance.
It looked like it would be just another offense-fueled Yankee loss (not that they didn't have opportunities...they just didn't capitalize) but the bottom of the seventh was a nice change-of-pace. With two outs, Cody Ransom doubled and rather than have Jose Molina face Hideki Okajima, Joe Girardi wrote in Jason Giambi as a pinch-hitter. The Giambino came through and tied the game up by knocking the ball out of the park.
In the 9th, with Justin Masterson pitching (curious that Papelbon didn't start the inning), Xavier Nady singled (Brett Gardner pinch-ran and took second by stealing), Hideki Matsui was intentionally walked and Pudge Rodriguez worked the unintentional walk. Bases loaded and now the Red Sox call in Papelbon to face Jason Giambi...and he delivered once again. His single to center plated Brett Gardner and gave the Yankees the win.
