08/28/2008 - Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jason Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the seventh inning to tie the game and singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, as the New York Yankees salvaged the finale of a three- game series against the Boston Red Sox with a 3-2 victory in what was likely the last meeting between these storied rivals at Yankee Stadium.
Not only did the Yankees manage to avoid a sweep, but they likely saved their season. A loss would have left New York eight games behind Boston in the AL wild card race, but the victory enabled the Yankees to pull within six games with 29 to play. The teams will also meet for three games at Fenway Park to conclude the season in September.
Boston starter Jon Lester cruised into the seventh inning with a four-hitter and a 2-0 lead. He retired the first two batters of the inning before Cody Ransom's double into the left field corner ended the lefty's day. Hideki Okajima took the mound for Boston and Giambi, pinch hitting for Jose Molina, clubbed an 0-1 pitch over the center field wall for his 27th homer to tie the game.
The Red Sox stranded a runner at second base in the top of the ninth against Mariano Rivera (5-5) and the Yankees pulled off their eighth walkoff win in the bottom of the inning.
Xavier Nady led off the home ninth against Justin Masterson (4-4) with a single up the middle. After Robinson Cano failed to bunt and lined out to third, pinch runner Brett Gardner stole second and Hideki Matsui was given an intentional walk. Ivan Rodriguez drew another free pass to load the bases for Giambi, who greeted closer Jonathan Papelbon with a single to center on an 0-2 pitch to plate Gardner with the winning run.
Lester was brilliant for Boston, charged with one run and five hits over 6 2/3 innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out eight.
Mike Mussina started for New York and left after seven solid innings. He yielded two runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts.
New York finished with a regular-season record of 484-285-4 against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. The only way these teams will meet in the postseason is if the first-place Tampa Bay Rays completely collapse and the Yankees and Red Sox both pass them to earn playoff berths, then each win a first-round series and meet in the ALCS.
The Red Sox broke the stalemate in the fifth with a pair of runs. Jed Lowrie singled with one out and Alex Cora appeared to lean into a 1-2 pitch to put runners on first and second. Jason Varitek then singled into right field to plate Lowrie with the game's first run. Cora raced to third on the play and scored when Jacoby Ellsbury beat the relay on a potential double-play grounder.
Boston threatened in the sixth after Dustin Pedroia led off with a single and Kevin Youkilis was hit by a pitch with one out. Jason Bay followed with a slow bouncer toward third and Alex Rodriguez missed the advancing Pedroia, who appeared to run onto the infield grass and out of the baseline to elude the tag. Rodriguez still got the out at first, and with two runners in scoring position, Mussina fanned Mark Kotsay to end the inning.
The Yankees also came away empty in the sixth after their first two batters reached base. Johnny Damon was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Derek Jeter followed with a single. Bobby Abreu then flied to deep center, allowing Damon to reach third, but Rodriguez fouled out behind the plate and Nady flied to shallow center field.
Rodriguez was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and also failed in a big spot in the first inning. After Jeter and Abreu each singled with one out, Rodriguez struck out before Nady grounded to third.
Game Notes
Giambi homered in consecutive at-bats, having also homered in the ninth inning of Wednesday's 11-3 setback...Jeter was 3-for-4 and is 11 hits shy of Lou Gehrig's record of 1,269 hits at Yankee Stadium...The Yankees earned their 39th come-from-behind win of the season, most in the majors...Kotsay, in his first game with the Red Sox after being acquired from Atlanta, was 1-for-4 with a double...Boston leads the season series, 8-7...The Red Sox were the Yankees' first opponent in Yankee Stadium, as Babe Ruth christened the new ballpark with a home run in New York's 4-1 triumph on April 18, 1923...Before the game, the Yankees optioned pitcher David Robertson to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and recalled pitcher Alfredo Aceves from the minor league affiliate...The Yankees will host Toronto for a three-game series this weekend, while the Red Sox head home for the weekend to take on the Chicago White Sox.
<< Mrowiec leaves Kaunas to join Hearts
Edinburgh, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Hearts signed Poland midfielder Adrian
Mrowiec to its already substantial ranks from FBK Kaunas on Thursday.
Mrowiec was part of the Kaunas side that dumped Rangers out of the Champions
League qual
<< Art Official favored in Cane Pace
Freehold, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Art Official, Meadowlands Pace champ, is the
9-5 morning-line favorite for Monday's Cane Pace at Freehold Raceway. The
$392,850 one-mile event is the first leg of the Pacing Triple Crown.
Coming off a
<< Fiorentina signs Gamberini to five-year deal
Florence, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fiorentina defender Alessandro Gamberini has
signed a new five-year contract, the club announced Thursday.
Gamberini, 27, earned a call up to the Italy squad for Euro 2008 following his
impressive form in
<< Ferrer, Murray, Blake reach third round in Flushing
Flushing Meadows, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fourth-seeded Spaniard David
Ferrer, sixth-seeded Brit Andy Murray and ninth-seeded American favorite James
Blake were a trio of second-round winners Thursday at the 2008 U.S. Open, the
fourth and fina
Atletico signs Banega on loan from Valencia >>
Madrid, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Atletico Madrid signed Argentinian midfielder
Ever Banega on loan from La Liga rivals Valencia on Thursday.
The 20-year-old only joined Valencia in January but struggled to break into the
first-team picture
Bolton loses Elmander, Taylor to injuries >>
Bolton, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bolton boss Gary Megson has confirmed his
worst fears that both Johan Elmander and Matty Taylor will be sidelined for the
foreseeable future.
Sweden international striker Elmander limped out of last we
Hornets add depth in Marks >>
New Orleans, LA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Hornets strengthened their
bench on Thursday by signing free-agent forward/center Sean Marks.
Marks was not re-signed by the Suns after averaging 3.1 points in 19 games for
them last season
Bradley names 20-man roster for WC qualifiers >>
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - U.S. men's national team coach Bob Bradley has
named a roster of 20 players that will train in advance of the pair of FIFA
World Cup Qualifying games against Cuba on Sept. 6 in Havana and Trinidad &
Tob
You've come to the right place if you're searching for a great legal online sportsbook ! The sportsbooks featured on this page accept sports wagers for the NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL, NCAA, Tennis, Soccer, Auto-Racing, Golf, Boxing, Horseracing, and many more. Using the information displayed on this page, you'll be able to make a wise-decision when selecting an online sportsbook and wagering service.
If you've never wagered at an online sportsbook before, you will find the process of starting to be straightforward. First, you choose a sportsbook from the list provided below. We feature the top sportsbooks on the web, with rankings based on company size, reputation, security, web site usability, and payment options. Once you've chosen the betting site that's right for you, the next step is online registration. You'll need to provide some basic information to create your account and receive a username and password. At this time, you'll also select a payment option. The books reviewed accept Visa, Mastercard, BankWire, and several others. Once you have an account created with the Sportsbook, you're ready to start wagering. You'll want to get familiar with their website and contact their Customer Service department if you have any questions.
Also, make sure you read the terms and conditions, which is usually located at the bottom of the homepage. The terms and conditions will outline all of the rules and regulations for the sportsbook. Once you are comfortable with the website and fully understand all of the rules, you are ready to start betting on your favorite sports teams or even on some hot current events!
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.
With all the style and sex appeal of Las Vegas, MySportsbook.com is without a doubt the coolest online sportsbook on the Internet.
At MySportsbook.com, players get to enjoy the luxury of a five star sportsbook, a racebook that's second to none, a casino with all the bells and whistles, and a swanky new poker room!
MySportsbook also has a unique games room where players can go head-to-head for cash playing such things as sports trivia and fantasy games, popular arcade games, word and memory games, and more.
Throughout MySportsbook, visitors and members are treated to informative sports news and sports betting stats Sports matchup reports and sports betting trends as well as entertaining columns written by colorful personalities.
The management at MySportsbook has been in the online gaming business since 1997. As a result of this success, management has earned a coveted spot on eGaming Review's "Power 50" list, which recognizes leaders in online gaming.
With MySportsbook.com , management's goal is to provide players with an exciting place to experience the thrill of gaming in a safe and trustworthy environment.
Thus, players at MySportsbook are assured of getting top notch customer service while having a wickedly good time.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting