BOSTON – Derek Jeter pumped his fist as if it all still mattered. He threw a short right uppercut in celebration as Bernie Williams’ three-run homer cleared the Green Monster in the seventh inning.
Just in case Don Fehr and Bud Selig do not end Boston’s season, the Yankees probably did. They vowed to come to Fenway Park and, in the words of third-base coach Willie Randolph – a true veteran of this rivalry – ignore the labor negotiations and “take care of business.” Now you only hope Fehr and Selig take care of business this well.
Because the Yankees could not have been more professional over these 18 innings in New England. They came, they saw, they conquered.
They won 7-0 last night and outscored Boston 13-0 in a two-game series. They moved a season-high 35 games over .500. They increased their AL East lead over Boston to a season-high nine games. Amazingly, this is the third straight year the Yanks have concluded a series at Fenway by moving their division lead to exactly nine games. They are 8-0 in those Fenway games.
When it comes to Yankees-Red Sox, history always seems to repeat. Here is hoping that is not true with labor. Here is hoping that for the first time in three decades, players and management can avert a work stoppage.
The players have promised to strike if there is no deal before games tomorrow, and Yankee rep Mike Stanton said, “We’re not pushing the date back. It’s called a deadline for a reason.”
Reason, though, seemed to be surfacing in Manhattan. Sources from both camps described a hopeful bridging of gaps. An executive for an NL team said, “I think all the signs are there for a deal, especially that Bud [Selig] went to New York.” A veteran agent said, “Everything I’ve heard is positive.”
Stanton said, “Will it get done? I won’t go there. Can it get done? No doubt. There is a deal on the table.” Yet each person warned about how treacherous the final few inches could be, considering the histrionics and history.
Regardless of the negotiation outcome, the Yanks can be proud of their Fenway comportment. In many ways, they followed the lead of their de facto captain, Jeter, who you sense would not alter his steely focus if playing atop a windy skyscraper.
“You have to play the games, that is the focus,” Jeter said.
In a series in which Nomar Garciaparra went 0-for-8 with an error, Jeter was flawless on defense and diverse on offense, going 5-for-9 with five RBIs. He had a bunt single and two steals.
“[Jeter] stands tall,” Torre said. “You look at the other shortstops, and I’m not demeaning anyone, but with all the numbers the other guys put up, I’d be hard-pressed to pick anyone but my guy because of everything he brings to a game. … He’s business all the way.”
So was his team as the Yanks used a familiar formula last night to outdo Pedro Martinez. Despite a 2.72 career ERA vs. the Yanks, Martinez is just 8-7 because Yankee hitters get him out of the game by building pitch count while a Yankee starter matches Martinez’ brilliance. Last night Mike Mussina was that starter, authoring his best work of 2002 (three-hit shutout) in a park in which he flourishes.
Martinez tried to pitch through his team’s inadequacies (three errors) by yielding just one unearned run through six innings. But he needed 108 pitches to do it. How badly did Boston, which began the night 3½ back in the wild-card race, want this game? It had not let Martinez exceed 117 pitches with his dubious shoulder all year. Martinez hit Alfonso Soriano with his 118th pitch in the seventh. Jeter followed with an RBI forceout and Jason Giambi walked to oust Martinez at 127 pitches.
Alan Embree relieved, Williams homered to make it 5-0, Jeter punched the air. It felt like a knockout punch, even if Fehr and Selig are able to save the season.