Boston Red Sox sink Yankees in dramatic fashion: 3 defining moments

The Boston Red Sox came back in dramatic fashion to complete a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees with a 5-4 walk-off victory in 10 innings. 

Don’t call it a comeback, just call it something magical.  That is the way the season is looking for the 2018 Boston Red Sox.

Down 4-1 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Red Sox did the unthinkable and rallied back to eventually sink the New York Yankees 5-4 in 10 innings on a soft single hit off the bat of Andrew Benintendi.

It was an RBI single that not only won the game but sink the Yankees to 9 ½ games behind the Red Sox for the AL East crown.  In completing the four-game sweep, Alex Cora’s team has won in every way possible.

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It started with an offensive explosion in a 15-7 win on Friday night, then there were two outstanding pitching performances turned in by Rick Porcello and Nathan Eovaldi.  And then there was Sunday night.  In a game the team could’ve afforded to lose and were down to their last out, this Red Sox group of believers fought to the end and that fight paid off.

"“They play the game the right way, they play until the end.  That was fun to watch,” Cora said following the game, via MLB.com.  “We always come to a series and the goal is to win it, and we swept them.  Now, it’s great, that clubhouse is pretty loud right now, but like I’ve been saying all along, tomorrow is an off-day and then we’ve got Toronto.  We’ve got to turn the page and be ready for that team and the same goal – go win the series.”"

With the four-game sweep, the Red Sox not only proved that they are for real, they proved they have something special going on.  Yes, they entered the series with the best record in the league, but there was some doubt about the makeup on the team.

How do they matchup against the top teams in the league?  Most importantly, could David Price step up on the mound and show competitiveness against a team like the Yankees?

On Sunday night, the left hander proved he could.  Despite not factoring in the decision, Price pitched six solid innings giving up just two runs.  The only problem for Price was that Masahiro Tanaka brought his A-game to the mound as well.

That’s another reason why this win was extra impressive for the boys in Boston.

Here are three moments that mattered in the Boston Red Sox 5-4 walk-off win against the New York Yankees. 

David Price fights off his demons 

Following the pitching performances of Rick Porcello and Nathan Eovaldi, David Price had no choice but be good on Sunday night.

Facing a pitcher like Masahiro Tanaka, Price’s ability to escape the first inning without giving up a run was an important moment in the game and for his confidence against the New York Yankees.

As disastrous as he previous starts against the Pinstripes have been, particularly in the first inning, the last thing Price needed was to load the bases in that first inning.

In was trending as another ESPN Sunday Night Baseball fiasco turned into a game-changing motivator for the veteran lefty.  Not only did Price find a way to escape the inning, he kept the Yankees scoreless for six innings and actually exited the game with a 1-0 lead.

So, how was David Price feeling after the game?  Well, his words speak for themselves.

"“It was big,” Price said.  “You know I think I’ve given up at least three runs against those guys in the first inning every time this year.  And to make pitches and get out of that first inning, that was big.”"

Perhaps, the greatest moment was when Price walked off the field to a Fenway Park standing ovation.  Talk about poetic.

J.D. Martinez comes through

After blowing a 1-0 lead and falling down 4-1, the Boston Red Sox had every reason to lay down and settle for taking 3 of 4 from the New York Yankees.  Given the fact that Aaron Boone was working with a strong bullpen, a two-out, ninth inning comeback seemed impossible.

Then again, that strong bullpen has been shaky as of late and the Red Sox found a way to take advantage.  After Aroldis Chapman walked the bases loaded, J.D. Martinez stepped to the plate with a chance to do some series damage against the struggling lefty.

Give this team a tiny bit of hope and they tend to come through.  That is exactly what Martinez did by belting a two-run single to center field to dwindle the lead to 4-3.

"“Chapman’s a guy who can throw four balls to the backstop, then dot four balls right on the corner.  He’s one of those guys,” Martinez said following the game.  “Yeah, once the bases got loaded, once he started with the walks, then you’re like, ‘There’s a chance here.’”"

It didn’t tie the game or put the team ahead, but it certainly rattled the Yankees defense.  The next batter, Xander Bogearts, tied the game on a ground ball that should’ve ended the game.  But, it didn’t, and perhaps sealed the division for the Boston Red Sox.

Andrew Benintendi delivers 

What a series for Andrew Benintendi.  In 19 plate appearances during the four-game series, the Boston Red Sox young outfielder batted .421, delivering 8 hits and four RBI.

No hit was bigger than his softest hit in the series.  With runners on first and second and two outs, Benintendi squared in and delivered a game-winning single off Yankees reliever Jonathan Holder.

He got on top of a changeup to send the Fenway faithful cheering into the night.

"“He stated me off with two fastballs,” Benintendi said.  “The third one was in for a strike.  The last one was a changeup and away, and I got on top of it and just kind of rolled it over. And of all the hits up the middle that were taken away by the shift, that one finds a way to get through, and thank God it did.”"

In all, the victory and results of the four-game series puts the Boston Red Sox in the driver’s seat to at least win the division.  The confidence it instilled will give this 2018 team a better chance in the playoffs.  With a 79-34 record, Alex Cora’s team has the swagger of a winner.