tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

A Win That Sends A Message?? & Media Notes

I'm not sure if last night's 5-2 win over the Red Sox is what the Yankees needed to turn this season series around with their blood rivals. But for someone who was looking for some passion from the boys in Pinstripes, it sure felt that way last night. The game was reminiscent of those battles in 2003 and 2004. Last night, the Yankees refused to lose and they were led by their pitching ace, CC Sabathia.

The Red Sox tried to wear the big lefty down like they have done the previous 4 starts. But Sabathia would have none of it as he battled using a 95-96 mph fast ball at times and a wicked slider that made MLB batting average leader Adrian Gonzalez look silly. Was CC dominant?? No, but he was not going to be denied and if the Red Sox were going to get him they were going to have to knock him out and they didn't.

Robinson Cano's snare of a low liner off the bat of Carl Crawford in the fifth inning may have saved the game as the Red Sox had runners on 2nd and 3rd with the Yankees clinging to a 4-2 lead. Cano also did it with his bat driving in a run and tattooing one off the Green Monster. Robby can drive you crazy sometimes with his pitch selection, but as Ken Singleton said last night,"we are seeing some kind of hitter."

An unsung hero last night was Eric Chavez. People fail to remember that this guy was a perennial All-Star in Oakland who has had injuries derail his career. Chavez contributed to the Yankee cause with 2 RBI's last night and played extremely well at 3rd base. Brian Cashman made a great move in acquiring Chavez and he could be a vital part of any Yankee chance to have a successful October with ARod's status down the stretch in question.

The nonsense that took place with Francisco Cervelli was typical Red Sox crap. I noticed what Cervelli did as he touched home plate on his home run and I also noticed how Lackey was looking at him. But Ken Singleton was right, it was plain out and out stupid for Lackey to hit Cervelli to lead off the 7th inning with your team only down 2 runs in Fenway Park. Cervelli ultimately ended up scoring to give the Yanks a 3 run cushion. The funny thing is that the last time these two teams met at Yankee Stadium, David Ortiz had some histronics when he hit a home run and somehow I don't remember him getting plunked. I don't buy that Cervelli clapping at home plate showed up the Red Sox. He was obviously thrilled that he was able to contribute in a big game. But the Red Sox are chippy. They are not going to take any crap. But last night, the Yankees were not going to take any either and it's about time.

I'm not sure if last night's win will turn the tide in favor of the Bombers in this season series. But in year's past, a gutty night by your starter who was a warrior on the mound, a fired up light hitting player who clubs a home run and a bench clearing incident that led to a coach being ejected usually ended up being a defining moment in a series between these two teams. I guess a lot will depend on Phil Hughes but I'd like to think that last night's win may send the message to the Red Sox that what's happened earlier this year means nothing just like what happened in 2009.
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*For those of you on twitter, you have to follow Bob Raissman of the NY Daily News. @nydnraiss Raissman's in game comments on Michael "Beavis" Kay is great!! Bob's the one who named Kay "Beavis" and I like it so much I use it here. Check it out he's typically right on the money when it comes to Beavis.

* While I didn't here it myself, sources tell me that the crack sports talkers on WGR 550 yesterday felt that the most pressing item in the world of sports was video games. That's right video games. I suppose the mental giants at Entercom figured that since Madden 12 came out yesterday that it was topical to ask the question, what is your favorite video game??? Are you kidding me??? College football is right around the corner, including the UB Bulls playing Pitt on Saturday. There's also the whole University of Miami story that I'm sure the geniuses on GR have little clue about. Not to mention the start of the Yankee-Red Sox series and don't tell me that with all of the Yankee fans and the out-of-the closet Red Sox fans around here that there wasn't any interest. So instead you are talking about video games??? What's up for today, who's going to eat more wings at Wingfest: Bulldog or Simon??? WGR550 is the biggest joke of a sports radio station in the United States and you can take that to the bank.