Game 1, Series 1 for the season’s always anticipated rivalry matchup, Yankees-Red Sox. In a game highlighted by Alex Rodriguez’s assault on the April record books and a comfortable Yankees lead, it was a late inning rally by the Red Sox against baseball’s most dominant closer that would prove to overtake the headlines of the first meeting. The New York offense put together six runs, including 2 more homeruns from Alex Rodriguez, but it was the bullpen that failed in the eighth, allowing 5 runs in the Red Sox rally. New York starter Andy Pettitte looked sharp pitching 6.1 innings and allowing only 2 runs on eight hits before turning the ball over to the bullpen. But when Joe Torre found himself in trouble in the eighth, he looked to a well rested Mariano Rivera for a 2 inning save. Even with Rivera on the mound, the Yankees were unable to escape with a lead as a bloop single, reminiscent of Luis Gonzalez’s 2001 Game 7 World Series winner, put the Red Sox ahead leaving Rivera to blow his second save opportunity in two chances.

Alex Rodriguez may not have saved the Yankees this time, but his two homeruns did make him the fastest player to reach 12 in baseball history. With a solo shot clearing the Green Monster in the fourth, a three run homerun that broke a 2-2 tie in the fifth, and a double in the eighth, A-Rod has provided 18 extra base hits out of his 23 total, hitting safely in all 15 games this season. As remarkable a month as A-Rod is having, some have still questioned whether he will ever be able to do it in the postseason where in the eyes of the New York fans, is when the real season starts. Now I have listened to the critics spout on with the “yea-buts” since A-Rod came to New York and I admittedly have been brainwashed by the levels of expectation he has been tagged with. But so far this season, Alex has managed to get the big hit when it counts i.e. two walkoff homers in 15 games; and produce in non-meaningless situations against Boston i.e. two homeruns last night. But I imagine, even if A-Rod produces in the postseason, anything less than a World Series title will be considered a failure, and we all know who is likely be the scapegoat, right? I guess it is one of those hidden incentives that comes with baseball’s largest paycheck. Don’t worry A-Rod, as long as you keep hitting, New York will keep cheering.

(5 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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