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Boston pitching was knocked around like a prison bitch by New York’s hitters. All and all, it was a depressing game by the Olde Towne Team. Pedro Martinez, who is clearly still fighting off some sickness, was beat up allowing 4 hits in a row, and 5 out of 6 hitters. Martinez only lasted 4 innings in this game, making the third game in a row where the Boston ace couldn’t hold a lead against the Yankees.

Then a funny thing happend…Bronson Arroyo channeled Mike Timlin and pitched 3 innings of excellent relief. The last third of an inning, he gave up a hit, and Alan Embree was called in. Embree prompty poured gasoline on the fire and the Yankees went up 8-4. Sox fought back to 8-7 against Nelson and Rivera, but ultimately, Bill Mueller struck out on a eye high fast ball and the rally was dead.

What the might be the most frustrating part of the game happend in the top of the ninth. Byung-Hyun Kim relieves Embree. After retiring Williams, Hideki Matsui hit a nubber up the middle that he beat out for a base hit. Then, on a full count, Kim throws Posada a slider that is right on the black, low and away. Posada swung and missed, on what was almost a completely unhittable pitch.

Except he swung and connected and drove the ball halfway up the stands in centerfield. Posada knocked his second homerun of the game on an excellent pitch, and so the myth that Kim can’t beat the Yankees lives on. At least Tim McCarver has something to talk about during games.

All and all, a truely depressing game for Sox fans. Yankees played well and beat the Sox pitching pretty badly. And Fox announcers, which have been nothing short of horrible since they recieved the contract, can do things like call Alfonso Soriano, Rafael (the Seattle Mariners’ relief pitcher. Many Yankee fans had never heard of him), and say how Bronson Arroyo is just trying to hang on in his second big league game, despite spending 3 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bad, bad day to watch a Fox game.

As for the shortstop watch…both guys had good games. And as been the case the last 5 years, Nomar had the superior numbers and Jeter’s team came out ahead. The offensive breakdown will come tonight or tomorrow morning, with defense coming tomorrow night or Monday morning.

SHORTSTOP WATCH

8/29    ab  r  h rbi bb  k 2b 3b hr  ave  ob%  slugNomar   5   2  3  2   0  2  1  0  1 .600 .600 1.400 Jeter   4   1  2  0   1  1  1  0  0 .500 .600  .750

8/30    ab  r  h rbi bb  k 2b 3b hr  ave  ob%  slugNomar   5   2  3   2  0  0  1  1  0 .600 .600 1.200 Jeter   4   2  2   0  0  0  1  0  0 .500 .500  .750

Series  ab  r  h rbi bb  k 2b 3b hr  ave  ob%  slugNomar   10  4  6   4  0  2  2  1  1 .600 .600 1.300Jeter   8   3  4   0  1  1  2  0  0 .500 .556  .750