Division Clincher

Mookie Betts was Thursday night's biggest bat as the Red Sox outslugged the Yankees 11-6. Boston's leadoff man underscored his MVP credentials with four hits and five RBIs --including the three-run homer in the 8th inning -- that put the game out of reach.
That wasn't just any win in baseball's most heated rivalry; it was the game that clinched the Sox third consecutive AL East title. And making the Yankee pain more intense, it was the first time the Sox had clinched a regular season title against the Bronx Bombers.
After wins Tuesday and Wednesday and a dramatic grand slam from recently slumping Giancarlo Stanton, the Yanks looked to be in position to prevent their forever foes from celebrating in their house. But they couldn't seal the deal.
The Yankees offense dried up once Steven Wright came in from the Boston bullpen. And they were again the Bronx Bummers on defense -- Aaron Hicks' wild throw that caromed off Miguel Andujar tacked on an insurance run to the sacrifice fly that gave the Red Sox ahead. Then add on the ineffective pitching from Masahiro Tanaka, Chad Green and Aroldis Chapman.
Will this night to forget as the Yankees lost badly and watched the Red Sox celebrate on their fired have a lasting impact? Can it inspire them to turn things around -- the Red being trounced in game four of the 2004 ALCS comes to mind?
Or is this just the signature of the 2018 Yankees? Inconsitency and disappointment, power and pitching that evaporate at the least opportune moment.
(My image of Betts is from the May 9th Yankees/Red Sox in the Bronx.)

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