Red Sox take over first place in AL East

David Ortiz (DH) hits his 15th homer of the season last night to help left the Red Sox past the Yankees.

Bronx, NY – It was only a matter of time before it happened. The Red Sox hammered the Yankees 11-6 Wednesday night on the strength of home runs by David Ortiz (DH) and Carl Crawford (LF). With the win, Boston took over sole-position of first place in the American League East.

Ortiz got things started early for the Sox with his 15th homer of the year in the first inning, a 2-run shot that extended the lead to 3-0. Jacoby Ellsbury (CF) scored earlier in the inning on a Crawford groundout.

This is what Red Sox Nation was expecting of this team-get early leads (especially on the road) and put immediate pressure on their opponent. Even with Daisuke Matsuzaka (P) out for the year with an elbow injury, Boston’s starting rotation should dominate with early leads. Ace Jon Lester is off to an 8-2 start with 3.98 ERA and a 2.47 strike-to-walk ratio. Right-hander Josh Beckett is back to his dominant self with a 2.01 ERA and a 2.39 strike-to-walk ratio.

Boston extended its lead to 7-0 in the 4th inning on RBIs by Jason Veritek (C), Carl Crawford, and Dustin Pedroia (2B). I would say Crawford’s slump is officially over. The left-fielder went 2-5 last night with another RBI and upped his batting average to .247. No, he’s not back to his old self yet, but he hit home runs in 2 straight games-a clear sign he’s feeling more comfortable at the plate. The Sox need Pedroia to start picking things up as well. He will.

The Red Sox broke open an 8-5 game with 3 more runs in the 9th courtesy of Crawford’s 6th homer of the year, a solo shot and J.D. Drew’s 2-run blast.

What sets this team apart is its ability to hit with 2 outs. Seven different Sox batters picked up RBIs on Wednesday night with 2 outs including 3 homers. Some teams just get it done when it counts.

Boston’s Tim Wakefield upped his record to 3-1 filling in for Matsuzaka who will undergo Tommy John surgery this week. The Sox knuckleballer scattered 5 runs in 5 1/3 innings pitched.

“I think I pitched better than the results,’’ Wakefield said, mentioning the lack of hard-hit balls by the Yankees. “I think I pitched pretty well.’’

The Sox have started 5-0 in the Bronx since 1912 and have won 6 in a row against New York. Remember when Boston started the year 0-6 and everyone in Red Sox Nation was in panic? That seems so long ago.

Boston goes for the series sweep tonight at Yankee Stadium. Josh Beckett (4-2) takes the mound for the Red Sox against Yankee Ace C.C. Sabathia (7-3).

Nathan Sumner is a Staff Writer for FanHuddle.com.

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Tags: Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, J.D. Drew, Jason Veritek, New York Yankees