After a blowout loss two nights ago, the Yankees showed up to Fenway pissed off last night. It didn’t take long for them to blow off some of that steam. The Yankees chased David Price out of the game after scoring 4 runs in the first. Giancarlo Stanton hit a 2-run triple to the deepest part of the ballpark and Gary Sanchez scored him two batters later with a high home run over the Green Monster. Sanchez wasn’t done for the night. The Yankees catcher finally seemed to get his timing down and finished with an insane 3-5 with two homers, a double, 4 RBIs, and 3 runs. Sanchez and Stanton showing signs of life is great news for Yankees fans, but it wasn’t the biggest story of the night. The historic rivalry is back in full swing. This game was a throwback to the early 2000s, the talent is back, and so is the hatred. On the scoreboard, the Yankees were the last ones standing in a 10-7 slugfest. But the scoreboard wasn’t the only place punches were thrown.
It all started in the third inning when Tyler Austin slid hard into second base and spiked shortstop Brock Holt. Holt took offense to Austin’s slide and after a little jawing back and forth both benches and bullpens cleared. The scrum was uneventful, just a lot of shouting. But it set the tone for the night, and the rest of the season for these two teams. Later in the game, Boston’s fireball pitcher Joe Kelly sent a message to Austin in the form of a 98mph fastball to the back. He didn’t take kindly to the slide back in the third and was standing up for his shortstop. Austin, of course, did not take kindly to the beaning either. He damn-near snapped his bat in half on the plate and began to walk out towards the mound. Kelly removed his glove, returned words, and the brawl was on. Benches quickly cleared again, but this one was not as verbal. Austin came out swinging at Joe Kelly and Aaron Judge quickly had Kelly in a headlock. Kelly got a few good punches in on Austin in the scrum and left him with a bloody lip as the pile got pushed towards the Boston dugout. A handful of players were ejected on both sides, and just like that, the best rivalry in sports has been reignited.
Regardless of who you root for, these teams hating each other is great for the game. As much as the league will tell you they don’t want this violence on the field, the fans love it and they know that. It brings a level of excitement to the game that goes beyond your diehard fans. This rivalry gives people who normally don’t watch baseball a reason to tune in. And with both of these teams fully loaded and expected to be in the playoff hunt, it will make for a full season of drama. They’ve still got 15 meetings left this year, and they’ll all be must-see-tv.
As for the teams, this might just serve as the spark they need. The Yankees haven’t quite got it clicking yet on offense, but last night’s 10-run outburst and the pair of brawls should snap them into shape. Both Sanchez and Stanton had good nights last night and it looks like they’re finally headed in the right direction. The Red Sox haven’t been playing as well as their record reflects and have taken advantage of weak opponents before this series. They could use a good kick in the ass like this to start playing up to their potential. Round three will get underway tonight at 7PM. Sonny Gray and Rick Porcello will be the starters. Let’s see who can take the rubber match and the win the first series between the two division foes.