09/27: Yanks Clinch A.L. East with Win Over Sox
Posted by: Seamus
Wrapping up the American League East Division title had been all but a formality for quite some time now, but the Yankees finally put the nail in the coffin this afternoon in poetic fashion, defeating the Red Sox 4–2. The Yanks had actually assured themselves of having a better record than the Angels with yesterday's victory, so they have locked up home field throughout the playoffs as well. The victory was also the 100th this season for the Yankees, making it the first time since 2004 that the Yankees hit the century mark.
The Yankees actually trailed during a good portion of this game and didn't go ahead until Hideki Matsui put them on top 3–2 with a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth. Mark Teixeira added a little insurance with a home run in the bottom of the eighth.
Andy Pettitte pitched six strong innings and kept the Yankees in this one, allowing two runs on seven hits. Pettitte passed the baton over to the bullpen before the seventh and the pen gave Joe Girardi three scoreless innings. Mariano Rivera closed things out for his 44th save of the year.
Pretty amazing that the Yankees were able to finish with a 9–9 head-to-head record against the Sox this season after starting out 0–8. It's also pretty awesome that they were able to wrap up the division with a win over their rivals. This is actually the second time in the last five seasons that they've done that, the last time being in 2005 as they clinched the East at Fenway on the second to last day of the season.
The Yankees will go out and have a little fun tomorrow night against the Royals, as there are still six games remaining left on the regular season schedule. Chad Gaudin will go up against Luke Hochevar beginning at 7:05 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 47–25, Patrick: 41–20, Andrew: 12–11
The Yankees actually trailed during a good portion of this game and didn't go ahead until Hideki Matsui put them on top 3–2 with a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth. Mark Teixeira added a little insurance with a home run in the bottom of the eighth.
Andy Pettitte pitched six strong innings and kept the Yankees in this one, allowing two runs on seven hits. Pettitte passed the baton over to the bullpen before the seventh and the pen gave Joe Girardi three scoreless innings. Mariano Rivera closed things out for his 44th save of the year.
Pretty amazing that the Yankees were able to finish with a 9–9 head-to-head record against the Sox this season after starting out 0–8. It's also pretty awesome that they were able to wrap up the division with a win over their rivals. This is actually the second time in the last five seasons that they've done that, the last time being in 2005 as they clinched the East at Fenway on the second to last day of the season.
The Yankees will go out and have a little fun tomorrow night against the Royals, as there are still six games remaining left on the regular season schedule. Chad Gaudin will go up against Luke Hochevar beginning at 7:05 ET.
Recap records: Seamus: 47–25, Patrick: 41–20, Andrew: 12–11
