Chien-Ming Wang retires 12 of the last 14 Sox to lead the Yankees to their six win of the season

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RED SOX FALL TO WANG YANKEES 4-1; MOVE TO 5-6
Chien-Ming Wang retires 12 of the last 14 Sox to lead the Yankees to their six win of the season

(April 11, 2008) – The Yankees take Round 1 of the 18-Round match between these two rival franchises behind Chien-Ming Wang’s two-hit, complete game. The Yankee starter recorded his third win of the season allowing just one run on two hits while striking out three Red Sox batters.

Wang had been mowing down Sox hitters like he had a 10:00 curfew he had to meet. He retired the first twelve Sox batters of the game before Dustin Pedroia would reach on Alex Rodriguez’s first error of the season. But the Sox could do anything against the Yankee pitcher until J.D Drew stepped to the plate in bottom of the fifth. Drew’s solo homerun was the only blemish of Wang’s spectacular night.

The Sox right fielder hit a line drive homerun into the Red Sox bullpen just over the outstretched glove of Yankee right fielder Bobby Abreu for the Sox first hit and run of the game. There should be no hating on Drew this year because he is proving he is the player the Sox were getting when they signed during the 2006-2007 off-season. We finally know what the fascination of J.D. Drew is. Don’t we Mr. Bob Ryan? (Actually I already knew Drew was a terrific ball player before he came to the Sox.)

Sox rookie starter Clay Buchholz was impressive in his first career start against the Bronx Bombers. After allowing a base hit to Hideki Matsui, Buchholz went on to retire eight consecutive Yankee batters before running into trouble in the top of the fifth inning. In the fifth, he walked Matsui and designated hitter Jorge Posada before allowing an RBI double to left center off the bat of catcher Jose Molina. The young rookie pitcher would walk shortstop Alberto Gonzalez to load the bases with just one out. But Buchholz would “minimize the damage” allowing just one run when center fielder Miguel Cabrera lined into a double play to first base.

After stranding Rodriguez and Matsui at second and third, respectively, in the sixth Buchholz would not return for another inning of work. He racked up three strike outs and allowed one run on four hits before turning the game over to the right-handed veteran, set-up man, Mike Timlin, who was pitching in his first game since coming of the disabled list. The Yankees are not the team you want to face when you are making your first start of the season even if you are a well-seasoned veteran. Yankee first baseman, Jason Giambi rudely welcomed Timlin back to the majors with a solo homerun to dead centerfield to put New York on top 2-1 again.

The Red Sox look to even the series at one a piece when Daisuke Matsuzaka makes his third start of the season. Matsuzaka is coming off an Opening Day 5-0 win against Detroit. He is currently 2-0 on the season with 1.47 ERA and 22 strike outs. Opposing batters are hitting at a .131 average against the Japanese sensation. Phil Hughes, the 21-year-old right-hander, will be making his debut in the historic Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, for the Yankees. Hughes is coming off a 5-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals, where he allowed three runs on six hits in just three innings of work. His failure to get ahead of Royal hitters led to his early exit but he will be looking to change that when he steps on the Fenway Park mound for the first time.

WIN: Chien-Ming Wang (3-0)

LOSS: Mike Timlin (0-1)

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Game Notes:

Chien-Ming Wang retired 12 consecutive Sox batters to start the game.

After Drew’s homerun Wang retired the last 10 Sox batters.

Wang has a one-hitter going into the ninth inning.

The 3 Stars of the Game:

1. Chien-Ming Wang, NEW YORK 8IP, 1H, 1ER, 3K

2. Jose Molina, NEW YORK 2-4 2 Doubles, RBI

3. J.D. Drew, BOSTON 1-3 HR, RBI