BoSwax (47-59) @ New York (59-45): Serevino's debut

[Dr. Detfink]

After a 7-3 road trip, the Yanks return home to face their best-est buddies the Boston Red Sawx.

Still doesn't mix well with me that Joe Girardi had Tanaka pitch into the 8th inning, then gave him and Pineda an extra day off, which resulted in a disastrous 5 inning start, and now he has the Boston Red Sox who can still hit. Just another foot note in how the Yankees have mishandled Tanaka from the start. His rookie season where he was challenging hitters, no one was keeping track of the number of splitters thrown...which leads to Tommy John surgery. The Yanks and Tanaka opt not to have the surgery, they pack some plasma, he comes BACK and was so-so. He comes back this season and he mentions how his velocity is down and he won't have the zip in his fastball. That's probably true, considering the amount of damage done to the arm. It may take another year before it's healthy enough for him to unload. Still, I feel he should be limited to 7 innings irregardless of the score.

I'm confident Tanaka will bounce back but I hope the Yankees will take seriously, keeping their starters healthy!!!!!

Meanwhile, Serevino's eye popping numbers have earned him a call up. VERY interested to see this kid up close and personal. Since Andy Pettitte, the Yanks have had flashes of brilliance in Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Ivan Nova but none have shown to be a vital cog in the rotation. Serevino could be that guy.

[Dr. Detfink]

1-0 Yanks. Teixiera knocks in another RBI!

Tanaka looked MUCH sharper. Needed only 7 pitches to get through the first.

[Dr. Detfink]

Tanaka puts in another scoreless inning after Chris Young and Ellsbury had a miscommunication and let a ball drop between them.

Think Tanaka has really improved his thought process. He's no longer trying to blow it past guys. He's setting up batters and allowing the infield to handle it.

[Dr. Detfink]

Tanaka cruises through the 3rd inning, conserving his pitch count to only 36 pitches. Consider it would have been 30-32 if Chris Young makes the catch.

Yanks lead 1-0 bottom of the 3rd.

[Dr. Detfink]

Tanaka cruised through the 4th inning. Only problem? Yanks can only get 1 run against the rookie pitcher.

[Dr. Detfink]

Sawx tied the game but Chris Young makes a horrible decision, thinking he could get the runner advancing the third, giving the single the opportunity to advance to second. Thus taking away the double play and Yanks are only one pitch away from losing the lead.

1-1 in the 5th.

[Dr. Detfink]

Sac fly and the Sawx are up 2-1. Two outs and man on second.

[Dr. Detfink]

Yanks handicapped by the rookie.

[Dr. Detfink]

Tanaka doubled up Ortiz!!!!

Yanks still down 1-2

[Dr. Detfink]

Yanks take he lead in the 6th...and then bust it open in the 7th....

Current score 13-3 Yanks!

[Butch718]

I'm very happy with the direction of the team. They're competitive and most importantly they didn't foolishly mortgage their future.

[Dr. Detfink]

Chase Headley's error moved the runner to second, which was banged home as the only Red Sox run on Serevino's watch so far. The rookie is pitching with a lot of confidence.

That said, the Rex Sawx have a knuckleballer on the mound...and that could be trouble.

[Dr. Detfink]

Yanks lose 2-1 to the Knuckleballer and suddenly SAS spouting, '"I'm not worried about Toronto..." comes back to haunt. Lead cut to 4.5 games.

[Dr. Detfink]

CC's Sabbathia goes 6 innings and gives up only 1 run. Yanks break the 1-1 tie in the 7th behind Ellsbury's HR.

Yanks poised to take the series if the pen holds.