What If I Told You…

The Red Sox would score 11 runs at Fenway, pound out 12 hits and STILL lose to the Yankees tonight?

You’d probably tell me I was crazy and then slap me silly. And I’d have no reason to object because such a statement on my part would be ludicrous.

Except that it happened.

Wow, what a game for the Yanks. Like I said, the Sox scored 11, got 12 hits and still lost by nine.

It’s the fifth win in a row for the Yanks against the Red Sox after dropping the first eight of the season (how long ago does that feel?).

But more importantly, this is the win that seals the AL East for the Yankees. There’s no way the Sox are coming back from this physical and psychological beating.

The division was wrapped up tonight. No question about it.

When the Yanks swept the Sox a few weeks ago at the Stadium I said that was the series that tipped a potential playoff matchup in the Yankees favor.

I still feel that way, but at the time it was too early to call the division. With about a month to go, I’m ready to say the Yankees will win the AL East.

I realize I’m not taking a huge leap of faith here, but after that win, the Yankees move into the driver’s seat not only in the East, but the AL as well.

If only they had a statement win like this against the Angels this season. They’ll get that chance September 21-23 when they go to Anaheim for three.

In the mean time, the Sox counter AJ Burnett tomorrow afternoon with Junichi Tazawa…better known as the guy who A-Rod hit the home run off of in the 15th inning three weeks ago.

Way to go Boston. In the biggest series of your season, two of your three starting pitchers are Tazawa and Brad Penny.

But, in retrospect, it probably doesn’t matter who Boston threw, because this one was decided long before these two took the field.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle