Thus far in the 2011 Major League Baseball season the New York Yankees are making a habit of getting knocked around by the Boston Red Sox. Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium Boston continued to play the role of brawny neighborhood bully to the Yankees' 98-pound weakling, powering their way to an 11-6 victory.
Boston is now 7-1 against the Yankees thus far this season. Wednesday's victory put the Red Sox in first place in the American League East and Boston can sweep the series Thursday night. Josh Beckett pitches for Boston and CC Sabathia for New York.
David Ortiz belted a two-run homer for a second straight night, this time going deep off A.J. Burnett in the first inning to help Boston take a 3-0 first-inning lead, indentical to what the Red Sox did Tuesday.
J.D. Drew homered and knocked in three runs for the Red Sox, who moved to 7-1 this season against their AL East rival. They also gained a one-game lead in the division by topping the Yankees for a sixth consecutive time, and have won five straight overall.
Carl Crawford and Drew homered in the ninth inning for Boston, which for the first time since 1912 has won its initial five road games against the Yankees. They were then known as the New York Highlanders and played at Hilltop Park.
Knuckleball specialist Tim Wakefield (3-1) earned the win despite allowing five hits and as many runs over 5 1/3 innings. Alfredo Aceves went the rest of the way for his first save of 2011.
Burnett (6-4) was pounded for seven hits and seven earned runs over 5 2/3 innings.
Francisco Cervelli, replacing an injured Russell Martin (back), went 3-for-3 with two RBI. Derek Jeter moved within 11 hits of 3,000 with an RBI double in the fifth inning.