WHY THIS YANKEES LOSS STINGS

Leave it to the Yankees and Red Sox to go extra innings in the last game of the year between the 2 clubs. No one ever said it would be easy and while the Red Sox are dear death, they clearly aren't dead yet. Long game.(Photo: Getty)
Mark Teixeira had a beautiful 2 run double in the first inning for the Yankees, it appeared we were on our way. Chris Dickerson had a sac RBI in the game.

Ivan Nova pitched OK. In 6 innings, he gave up 4 runs on 8 hits. He's been better, but I ain't made at him. After Nova, the Yankees used 7 pitchers and held down the Sox until Scott Proctor blew it but, more on that in a moment.

(Photo: Getty)
In the 6th inning, an amazing play by Austin Romine tagging Dustin Pedroia trying to get home. The picture above clearly captures the out. But look, this is athletic on both ends and for Romine, a rookie to be thrown into that and succeeding is something special. They always said Romine's defense was great, here's a great example of that.

In the extra innings, there was a horrendous call at first. Dustin Pedroia sliding into first and a running quick throw from Ramiro Pena at third to Nick Swisher at first base. Pedroia was clearly out with the naked eye, but when I saw the play in YES-mo, I became a crazy person. Joe Girardi was right to fight that battle and he getting thrown out, was better than risking Nick arguing the call and getting tossed. It also was a tactic to energize the Yankees who weren't hitting in the later innings, but it didn't work.

Scott Proctor, who's really not too great, allowed Jacoby Ellsbury to give one a ride in the 14th inning, a 3 run shot to make it 7-4. Not too good. The Yankees really wanted this game, and it was a mistake by Proctor and perhaps, may I suggest, a mistake by Tony Pena to put him in. Look, I like Scott Proctor, but the numbers don't look too good. Clearly there's a reason why he let up that home run to Ellsbury. Why wouldn't we use Luis Ayala? He was available. Well, what can you do.

One final thought. Anyone hear Baba O'Riley by the Who being played when Brett Gardner came out? My take on this is simple, that's Paul O'Neill song. It's sacred and it shouldn't be played for any other player ever. Just saying, I loved the Warrior and everytime I hear that song, I think of Paul O'Neill.

Final Score of Game 2: Red Sox 7 - Yankees 4

Don't look now, the Red Sox aren't dead yet.

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