The Yanks came up with a huge win tonight at a chilly Fenway Park against Boston's anointed hero. It's weird calling an April win huge, but the way that the team has been playing this was a much-needed victory.
Jared Wright making his second start for the Yankees pitched himself in and out of trouble through five innings of work, but he earned his first victory in pinstripes and it couldn't have come at a better time. He took the mound against Curt (the bloody Sock) Schilling, who was making his first start of the year and you knew that he would pitch very tough with the Red Sox faithful screaming at his back.
Derek Jeter made a great play just nipping Renteria with the bases loaded to keep the game close in the third. Jeter always seem to pull off a gem when it counts.
Jason Giambino (not one of John Sterling's greatest nicknames) shaked off a steroid controversy and a slump with one swing of the bat, lining a shot into the right field stands and breaking a 2-2 tie.
Then Bernie stepped up to the plate (batting ninth for the first time since 95') crushed a home run to right, giving the Yanks a three spot for the inning.
Tanyon Sturtze came in and worked two strong innings in middle relief. Can we call him Mr. Dependable? Flash Gordon worked a perfect inning and then entered the great Mariano.
Just yesterday the Red Sox fans cheered his name mockingly and you know Rivera wanted no part of that becoming a habit. Tony Womack made a fine stab on a low liner by Bellhorn...then another ground out to second. A walk to Nixon and finally Manny Ramirez bounced into out number three and Rivera earned his second save of the season.
Making Joe a very happy man. Big Moe's velocity is still down, but by the time he finished Manny off, the gun said he was at 92mph. Also back for the Yankees was the best trick on offense that they have, but hadn't shown all year. Simply making Schilling work.