Bombers Sweep Sox out of Bronx

Sorry for the lack of updates, I have been busy. I have kept writing articles, but did not post them onto this blog, and they are too outdated to be posted. I have, however, kept up with photography and maintained doing both sports picture taking and sportswriting. Hopefully I can update this some more.
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This was a tremendous series for the Yankees. Winning the series is one thing, sweeping it is an entirely different thing. The Yanks hit in the clutch and this series showed that the Yankees' pitching (Joba's outing on Thursday excluded) will be a strength. Burnett was dominant (albeit, 6 walks), CC was lights out for the first few innings and still managed to keep the Red Sox hitters scoreless, and Pettitte proved that he is a true second half pitcher who can go up against a strong #2 starters in the majors.

It also proved how strong the Yankees' bullpen can be at times. Not bringing in Hughes in the eighth was a mistake in my books, but the rest of the bullpen stepped up, especially in the 15-inning game. Aceves, Bruney, and Coke all came up big for the Yankees in innings 10-15. Hughes, though only facing two batters, still kept nerves from overcoming him. Melancon started the fire in the first game of the series, and though he was demoted before Saturday's game, can still throw at a major league level. Robertson, too, can pitch in a crucial game like this.

I predicted a series split, but if they were to win 3 of 4, Burnett would have outdueled Beckett. Well, he didn't outduel him, but he matched up extremely well against him and kept the Sox hitters at bay.

Also, for the record, the only way this sweep is better than the 2006 5-game-road sweep is because of the games they played and the background entering the series.

In the 5-game series, the Yankees were ahead by 1 1/2 games entering. The season series beforehand was not as decicive as the one this year (Boston up 8-0). This year, the Yankees were up 2.5 games, but they needed to prove they could match up against the Sox and that they can face a first place team and not falter.

In the 5-game series, there were some games with tons of offensive support, but for both sides. There were no classics like the 15-inning marathon, or the clutch late hitting of Damon/Teixeira.

To simply put it, this series was meaningful. The Yankees will head into the dog days of August with a lot of momentum, proving they can fare well against some of the top pitchers in the AL. Mark Buerhle, who was hot entering last Sunday's game, struggled against the Yankees; the same game Melky hit for the cycle. They faced Halladay and hit a few homers off him, albeit late in the game, but a run is a run. They faced Beckett and got a stellar pitching effort to match up against him. They faced Lester and got another stellar effort from Pettitte too.

As for the Red Sox, this series could be a sign of things to come, for a pessimistic side. They face a tough schedule with a lot of road games and top-tier teams. The Tigers, Rangers, Blue Jays (Halladay, Rzepczynski, Romero), Yankees, and White Sox are some of the notable opponents who they play in the coming weeks. Boston has lost 6 in a row and are 8-14 since the break. Take away the games against the Orioles, and they are 3-13. They are in huge trouble if they do not find a key to success.