State Of The Yankees II: Yankees Embarrass Red Sox With Two Wins That Could Set Up Rest Of Season

As we throw out the first pitch here on our second State of the Yankees column, the mood couldn't get any better if you're a fan of the Bronx Bombers. On both Friday and Saturday, the Yankees not only beat the rival Red Sox, but humiliated them. It makes for a fun edition of this breakdown. Remember, every Sunday night, we'll analyze the Yankees and Red Sox. Every Saturday night, it's the Mets turn. As always, we want to hear what you have to say about your favorite (or least favorite) team below in the comments section.

  Opening Statement  

Two innings of a game in April may have changed the complexion of the entire American League. That's right, just two innings this early in the season just may have catapulted one team to great heights while another gets buried. Of course, the key word is "may" because, as cliche as it is, anything can happen in baseball. But the two-inning offensive outburst the Yankees had against the Red Sox Saturday afternoon was the kind of spurt that changes everything. The Yankees erased a 9-0 deficit, powered by a seven-run inning in both the seventh and eighth innings to win 15-9. It was as wild a scene as it sounds. For Boston, the frustration for the team and mostly manager Bobby Valentine could be felt everywhere, but Matt Straub has that side in our State of the Red Sox breakdown. If the Yankees can bury the Red Sox, well, that will make things that much easier in winning the AL East. Overall, the Yankees are 9-6 and are tied with the Blue Jays and a half-game ahead of both the Orioles and Rays.

Mark Teixeira celebrates his three-run HR against Boston. (AP photo0

 The High Point  

You know what's coming. The Yankees looked dead against the Red Sox Saturday, trailing 9-0 at the end of five innings and 9-1 after six. It's the reason fans at home didn't mind when Fox decided to show the final three outs of Philip Humber's perfect game for the White Sox. But while the television audience was away, Nick Swisher hit a grand slam to cut the deficit to 9-5. From there, it was on, both for the Yankees offense and the game on Fox. After a single and error, Mark Teixeira hit a three-run home run, which followed his solo homer an inning earlier, to cut the lead to 9-8 at the end of seven. Boston survived, but not for long. The first six Yankees reached base in the eighth, with a pair of two-run doubles by Swisher and Teixeira to give New York the lead, 12-9. Then, even after the Red Sox got a double play on a liner to first, Russell Martin hit a two-run double and Derek Jeter drove in a run with an infield single to give the Yankees a 15-9 lead. They batted around in both innings and the Yankees had one of the greatest comeback wins in their history.

  The Low Point  

For six innings, Saturday's game was the easy choice for our low point, with just about everything going wrong in Boston. But after a comeback for the ages, the Monday night loss to the Twins gets billing here. More specifically, the Yankees losing to Carl Pavano. We all know the hatred Yankees fans have for the pitcher, so it would have be nice to see him rocked in front of a raucous Bronx crowd. Instead, Pavano shook off back-to-back homers to lead off the game by Jeter and Curtis Granderson to allow just three runs over seven innings in getting the win.

Nick Swisher hits a grand slam Saturday. (AP photo)

  Three Up  

Mark Teixeira: In the past week, Teixeira is batting over .500 with three home runs and 10 RBI. He had two home runs and six RBI against the Red Sox Saturday. In five of his last six games, he's had at least two hits. In his past 10 games he's gotten at least one hit in eight of them and multiple hits in six.

Nick Swisher: In the two game against Boston this weekend, Swisher went 5-for-9 with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI. He had six RBI alone in the win Saturday. The Yankees right fielder has 20 RBI on the season with six doubles and four home runs.

Ivan Nova: Yankees pitchers are typically judged by how they pitch against the Red Sox. The pressure, intensity and meaning is as close you can get to the postseason before October. So, it was a great sign this season for Nova to pitch so well in Boston Friday. He went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits in getting the win. He's 3-0 with a 3.79 ERA this season.

  Three Down  

Freddy Garcia: The need for Andy Pettitte has gotten stronger and stronger by the day in the Bronx. That need is highlighted by the inability of Garcia to get people out this season. He doesn't deserve a spot in the rotation, and he showed why Saturday in a disastrous performance against Boston. He couldn't get out of the second inning, allowing five runs on seven hits. He lucked out on the huge Yankees' comeback, but once Pettitte or Michael Pineda are ready, Garcia might not be around at all.

Hiroki Kuroda: The free agent pitcher has been terrible in two of his three starts. He allowed six runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings in a 6-5 loss to the Twins. Kuroda is 1-2 with a 5.00 ERA this season. Luckily he had a great start in the home opener, so the ability is still there.

Andruw Jones: He hasn't gotten many opportunities, so he has to make the most of his time. He didn't do that Saturday. He went 0-for-3 on the day and was lifted for pinch-hitter Raul Ibanez in the eighth. Jones is going to get more chances to play now with Brett Gardner on the disabled list, so he has to make it count.

  What's Next?  

The final game of the Yankees-Red Sox series Sunday night was rained out, so the Bombers will travel to Texas to take on the Rangers for a three-game series. Then it's back to the Stadium to host the Tigers for three games over the weekend. Those six games against Texas and Detroit will go a long way in determining just how good the Yankees are, and their biggest competition for the American League pennant this season. We'll be back next Sunday night to break it all down right here. Until then, make sure to let us know what you think the state of the Yankees is in the comments section.

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