Sox drop opener series to arch rivals

-- Curtis Granderson's homerun in the 10th may have lead the way for the Yankees 2-run go ahead inning in their 3-1 win over the Sox last night, but they shouldn't have even gotten there.

In the seventh reliever Daniel Bard took over for Lackey and should have had a scoreless outing as well. With two outs Nick Swisher came up and singled on a grounder to right and Jorge Posada rounded third headed for home.

J.D. Drew came up firing and sent a dart towards the plate and ever so slightly up the line...not by much though. Victor Martinez, not a defensive great behind the dish, bobbled the tag and the Yanks tied the game 1-1.

If V-Mart corals that makeable catch his tag would've been on time and Posada would've been cut down. Instead the game was leveled and the rest is history.

But we can't turn back time and baseball is a game of inches anyways. Still the Sox drop to 1-2 and lost their prescious home opener series to their dreaded rivals so I'm not sure I can put a positive spin on that one, but I'll try.

Series notes:
Game 1 -- 9-7 Sox
Game 2 -- 6-4 Yanks
Game 3 -- 3-1 Yanks

The Red Sox did look more improved defensively in the field and had the bats when they needed them, but I think the series came down to the Yankees getting stronger performances from their starters and one ill-advised wheelhouse, sweet-spot pitch from Papelbon.

Beckett and Lester did not look great in comparison to Lackey or Sabathia and Pettite. Burnett stumbled a bit, but nothing like the Sox's ace. Which I highly doubt the the Sox 1-2-punch combo will be anything but rearing and ready the next times these teams meet.

*All I can say is worry not Sox fans, its only been three games and we'll get another shot at our nemesises again on May 7.

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