Game 9: Yanks 0 Sox 4

Ohh-wee! Beckett was throwing rocks tonight. Eight innings pitched (103 pitches), no runs, 10 Ks, and only 1 walk and 2 hits allowed. Robinson Cano got one hit, Teixiera got the walk, and Eric Chavez, who I hadn't realized signed with the Yankees, got the other hit. Papelbon came in for a 2 K inning to close the door. Chavez got three hits yesterday too and could be a pretty good signing for the Yankees if he can stay healthy. That's been a big "IF" for Chavez the last few seasons though.

Pedroia continues to be on fire with another 3 hit night and Scutaro went 2-2 with 2 BBs too. Crawford showed another 0-5 in the leadoff spot; he's really struggling. It seemed like the Sox didn't get a lot of hard contact against Sabathia today but they did get a lot of hits and succeeded in knocking C.C. out in the 6th. I'm still concerned about the lack of timely hitting by the Sox though. Four runs on 20 base runners isn't that great and ESPN was quick to point out the Sox have been atrocious with runners in scoring position (1 for 17 yesterday). Not sure how to fix that except to hope the hitters take a breath and relax at the plate.

Speaking of ESPN, I'd say their broadcast was only marginally better than Fox's. I like Orel Hershiser but Bobby Valentin may be worse than Tim McCarver. Every time he talked I wished he hadn't. And the live K zone was obnoxious. It blocked the view of the catcher and just confirms what we already know: umpires are fallible. It's part of the game, deal with it. Hopefully the live K zone goes the way of the glowing hockey puck.

Sox finally win a series and start a three game stint against the Rays tomorrow (another national broadcast game). Let's get two!