It was as a big weekend for the Yankees. After winning the first two games of their series with Boston, the Bronx Bombers found themselves in a game on Sunday where a victory would sweep the series with their arch rivals, be their 100th win of the season, and clinch the AL East pennant.
However, after a dreary rain delayed start to the game, the Red Sox went up 2–0 early after scoring in the first and third innings. However, Melky Cabrera kept the Yankees close in the third inning with a solo shot to right field.
Anticipation for a celebration really started to surface in the sixth when New York went ahead off a Hideki Matsui single, which drove in two runs. The lead was padded in the eighth after a solo homerun from Mark Teixeira.
Providing the Yankees with some nervous moments in the ninth inning, Boston pressured, getting the two tying runs in scoring position. However with two outs, the Red Sox were fittingly retired with a soft grounder fielded by New York’s eminent closer, Mariano Rivera.
As big an accomplishment as it is to win a division title, the high expectations faced by the Yankees all year long, combined with them missing the playoffs last year for the first time in 14 seasons, certainly added some extra poignancy to the celebration this year.
Speaking with ESPN after the game, the Yankees stars showed their elation.
Teixeira said, “This is why I came here, this is fun. We put in a lot of work this year, and this validates it all.”
Commenting on the chemistry of the team this year, Teixeira said, “I have never been around a club that meshed so quickly. It seemed like the first day we got to spring training, we just got along so well.”
Derek Jeter, however, said the improved results in 2009 had less to do with chemistry and more to do with a better lineup.
“We’ve got a better team this year. We’ve been pitching lot better. Everyone talks about the personality and chemistry. I think winning has a lot to do with that. The more you win the more fun your going to have.”
However, after a dreary rain delayed start to the game, the Red Sox went up 2–0 early after scoring in the first and third innings. However, Melky Cabrera kept the Yankees close in the third inning with a solo shot to right field.
Anticipation for a celebration really started to surface in the sixth when New York went ahead off a Hideki Matsui single, which drove in two runs. The lead was padded in the eighth after a solo homerun from Mark Teixeira.
Providing the Yankees with some nervous moments in the ninth inning, Boston pressured, getting the two tying runs in scoring position. However with two outs, the Red Sox were fittingly retired with a soft grounder fielded by New York’s eminent closer, Mariano Rivera.
As big an accomplishment as it is to win a division title, the high expectations faced by the Yankees all year long, combined with them missing the playoffs last year for the first time in 14 seasons, certainly added some extra poignancy to the celebration this year.
Speaking with ESPN after the game, the Yankees stars showed their elation.
Teixeira said, “This is why I came here, this is fun. We put in a lot of work this year, and this validates it all.”
Commenting on the chemistry of the team this year, Teixeira said, “I have never been around a club that meshed so quickly. It seemed like the first day we got to spring training, we just got along so well.”
Derek Jeter, however, said the improved results in 2009 had less to do with chemistry and more to do with a better lineup.
“We’ve got a better team this year. We’ve been pitching lot better. Everyone talks about the personality and chemistry. I think winning has a lot to do with that. The more you win the more fun your going to have.”
