Priceless Yet Costly | General Admission

I'm sure by now most of you have already seen highlights of last nights 5 and half hour, 15 inning thriller between the Yankees and Red Sox. Sure you could have seen the the big hits and the walk off home run to finish off the game and think you know what this game really was and what this game really meant for both teams. But unless you saw the actual intensity and nail biting action of every pitch that led to the Yankees eventual outcome of a win, you may believe the only meaning of this game was a 4 1/2 game lead by the Yankees in the AL East standings. It may just be one contest, but it could mean the world to both these teams.

As we all knew coming into this game, the Yankees had a 3 and a half game lead and have been hot since the All-Star break where as the Red Sox have been struggling with hitting, but just acquired all-star Victor Martinez from the Indians at the trade deadline. The Yankees had won their first game of the season against the Sox the night before and were coming into this one trying to show that that game was not a fluke and they could do it again facing Boston's ace. It is obvious that the Yankees were coming in with the momentum as the Red Sox were trying to not fall down the slippery slope similar to the Boston Massacre of 2006 against New York. Both teams came into this game desperately trying to win this battle and defeat their arch rivals and nothing is more painful to a team than a long, tiring, breathtaking loss and one squad had to face this result.

The game started simple enough for the Bo Sox as Ellsbury blooped a single into Right-Center for their first hit of the game. It also happened to be their only hit until the 9th inning. Both starters pitched phenomenal games but put themselves in situations that could have resulted themselves with a loss, yet neither offense could pump in even one run to give their team the advantage. This game was as tight as they get and when the game is on the line big players are supposed to step up to the plate and make all-star plays, but neither teams' stars could make use of opportunities for their team. A good opportunity for Boston was in the 6th when they had runners on 1st and 2nd no outs with Pedroia, Martinez, and Youkillis up at bat and all three of them failed to even advance the runners. Later in the 10th as well the Sox had 1st and 2nd with the reigning MVP at the plate who flied out to left field on a perfect chance to light up the scoreboard for the first time in the game. The Yankees had multiple chances too such as in the 14th where Eric Hinske and Melky Cabrera where both inches away from having their teams hop over the dug out and welcome home Posada for the winning run. Finally in the 15th inning, A-Rod ended the most suspenseful game of the season with a blast to left field off of the not even a day old major leaguer in Tazawa of the Red Sox.

Even though both teams struggled and failed almost every opportunity they had, the Yankees came out on top with more than just a win. Such a hard fought victory will do wonders for the Yankees with their confidence racking up only their second win of the season against their arch rivals, but it will effect the Red Sox even more. Having put in so much work into one game that lasted longer than both of Mark Buerhle's no hitters by far and then ending up losing it on a home run by the most hated Yankee is a heartbreaker. It leaves them tired and destroys their confidence, both which the Red Sox need more than ever right now, 4 and a half games back of the Yankees who have been cruising in the late summer so far. To add to that, they also have a difficult schedule from here on out playing only 3 teams with under .500 records and series' with the 6 top best teams in the AL other than themselves. It's a tough road for the Red Sox from here on out, and losing such a close game with so much heart put into it is not going to help them get back to the playoffs again this year.

At the end of the game, a loss where your hitters don't capitalize on chances, your new set up relief pitcher is rocked in his first outing, all relievers pitched, and 15 innings of teeth gritting action ends up with an L on your score card on a walk off doesn't just hurt your record and momentum, but your emotions and belief in your team of pulling out tight games. With the Red Sox having a tough schedule for the rest of the season, and the Yankees pulling away in the East, this game may have been priceless, but it cost the Red Sox more than just a loss.