Yankees Take First Two in Boston

The New York Yankees took the first two of the three-game set as they shellacked Boston Saturday, 10-3, following Friday's 1-0 affair. The game was close most of the way, but the Yankees blew it open with a four-run sixth inning and the bullpen, including newly acquired lefty Damaso Marte, combined to clinch the win and bring the team within a game of Boston and 2.5 games behind first-place Tampa Bay. In the Yanks' lineup today was newly acquired outfielder Xavier Nady. He started in left and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. To make room for him and Marte, both obtained from Pittsburgh Friday, the Yankees optioned Brett Gardner to Triple-A and designated LaTroy Hawkins for assignment. The Red Sox started off quickly, grabbing two runs in the bottom of the first with a David Ortiz single that scored Dustin Pedroia and a Manny Ramirez fielder's choice that scored Kevin Youkilis. Boston was up by two immediately, but the Yankees cut the lead in half in the third with a Bobby Abreu ... [link]