4 real? Four at bats that changed the game. Red Sox vs Yanks 4-3-13

Game 2 of 162: Red Sox best the Yankees 7-4.

The Red Sox made it two wins in a row to start 2013, and this game looked over early. Hiroki Kuroda was chased in the second inning (he actually left with a finger bruise off a Shane Victorino line drive, but he was ineffective anyways) and the Red Sox piled on 6 runs in the first three innings. Here are the four at bats that changed the game:

1) In the first inning, Mike Napoli's line out to center was deep enough to cause Daniel Nava to tag up from second and get to third. The next man up, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, came up with two men on and singled to center field to score Napoli. Small ball to get a run on the board early. Very important in cold weather games, when scoring could be at a premium.

2) In the top of the third inning, Jackie Bradley Jr came up with Shane Victorino on second base, two outs, and the Sox up 2-0. Bradley singled up the middle, scoring Victorino and giving him his first career hit. 3-0 Sox.

3) Still in the 3rd inning, Jose Iglesias doubles to put men at second and third and Jacoby Ellsbury drops a ball into shallow center field, scoring Bradley and Iglesias. Ellsbury's 2-RBI hit essentially  puts it out of reach for the Yankees, who looked as if they had no fight all night. 6-0 Red Sox.

4) Just when you thought it was over, Andrew Miller hits Ben Francisco in the butt to put a man on, and Alfredo Aceves gives up a single to Youk. Two men on for Vernon Wells, who looked as if he had something to prove ( his large contract, perhaps?) by hitting a three run BOMB to left field. Aceves left a ball right over the heart of the plate and Vernon Wells did not disappoint. The hit closed the gap to 7-4 and gave the Yankee fans a little bit of hope.

Fortunately, that was all the Yankees had as they lose 7-4 in a game that felt over with as soon as the sun went down. Game 2 of 162 is in the books.

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