Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Despite being the preseason favorite to win the rugged AL East, the Boston Red Sox are finding that reaching .500 in May after an 0-6 start feels A-OK.
Kevin Youkilis hit a tying three-run homer, David Ortiz had a go-ahead drive and the Red Sox completed a sweep of a team in turmoil, beating the New York Yankees with a 7-5 victory Sunday night to even up their record for the first time this season.
“Actually feels good. Hopefully this is a step in us moving forward,” manager Terry Francona said. “It’s not really what our goal is but we’re making strides. We played a good series.”
Jon Lester (5-1) shrugged off a slow start to beat New York again andJarrod Saltalamacchia hit his first homer with Boston as the Red Sox swept a three-game series in the Bronx for the first time since April 2004.
“That’s what people expect us to do,” Ortiz said. “When you combine good hitting with good pitching, as you saw, you’re supposed to win.”
Despite jumping out to a 4-1 lead, the Yankees matched their longest losing streak since May 2009 by losing their fifth straight — all at home — a slump plagued by shaky defense, a lack of big hits — and a huge mess in the clubhouse.
Jorge Posada was in the middle of the uproar Saturday, pulling himself from the lineup about an hour before gametime, saying he needed a day to clear his head after being dropped to ninth in the batting order.
The struggling designated hitter apologized Sunday to manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman for his actions on what he characterized as “a bad day.” The Yankees said they will not punish the five-time All-Star and consider the matter closed.
Cashman said it was time to move on and focus on the Red Sox and righting the Yankees, losers of nine of 12.
“It seems like when things are going bad, they’re going bad,” Girardi said. “we’re going to turn it around.”
Posada entered as a pinch-hitter to open the eighth and received a sustained ovation. He walked but Daniel Bard retired the next three batters.
Jonathan Papelbon stopped twice to tie his shoes — much to the ire of the fans remaining — during a perfect ninth to finish for his seventh save.
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