Red Sox 8, Yankees 2
NEW YORK -- The rivalry resumed, with many of the familiar faces missing, and expectations down this season for both the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.
But the Red Sox were able to savor the rejuvenating spirit of Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on Monday, beginning the John Farrell era with an 8-2 rout of the Yankees, who only added to the questions surrounding them this year.
Jose Iglesias went 3-for-5 with three RBI and newcomer Shane Victorino smacked a two-run single for Boston. Rookie Jackie Bradley Jr. walked twice and drove in a run for Boston.
Jon Lester got off to a good start in trying to put a disappointing 2012 season behind him, getting the win after allowing two runs on five hits in five innings. Lester struck out seven and walked two as Boston emerged from last year's debacle under Bobby Valentine with a fresh start under new manager Farrell.
CC Sabathia gave up four runs in five innings to take the loss for the Yankees, who got a two-run single from catcher Francisco Cervelli as they opened the season at home at the same time as the cross-town Mets for the first time in the franchises' history.
The Yankees were without plenty of their stars, most notably missing Derek Jeter at shortstop for the first time since 2001 and the second time since he started in 1996. On the other side, Boston's injured designated hitter David Ortiz acknowledged it felt strange not being able to play the season's first game.
The Red Sox touched up the Yankees ace for four runs in the second inning.
After Boston loaded the bases on two walks and a single, Iglesias smacked an RBI single snared off the ground by shortstop Eduardo Nunez, who fired to second to try for a force. But Bradley's speed allowed him to beat the throw. Two batters later, Victorino knocked in two more runs with a single to left and Dustin Pedroia followed with an RBI single to right for the 4-0 lead.
The Yankees responded with a pair of runs off Lester (1-0) in the fourth. Former Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis smacked a leadoff double to prompt the familiar "Youk" call in the Bronx that he used to hear in Boston. Catcher Francisco Cervelli came through with two outs by drilling a two-run single down the left-field line to cut the deficit in half.
The Sox added three runs in the ninth off Joba Chamberlain, with Iglesias knocking in two with his third single of the game.
Notes: Mariano Rivera, who will retire after the season, said he wasn't focused on this being his final Opening Day because he instead was locked in to the task at hand, but acknowledged, "I'm gonna enjoy, I'm gonna enjoy." Asked if he shagged fly balls in the outfield during batting practice -- an activity that led to a season-ending injury last April -- Rivera smiled. "I was waiting for that one," he said. "Yes, I did. Yes, I did. It felt good. I wouldn't change anything. (The injury) happened and I have to move on." ... Ortiz, out with a right Achilles injury, admitted it was "a little weird, but it is what it is," when asked about missing the season-opener. "Opening Day is the one time you want to be good to go. It's a weird feeling, but I have to get back soon." Ortiz said he expected to go on an extended spring training assignment next week. ... Bradley Jr. went 0-for-2 with two walks in his major-league debut, becoming the first Boston player to reach base in his first major-league plate appearance on Opening Day since 1968. Bradley also made an impressive running catch in left field to rob Robinson Cano of a hit. ... Alex Rodriguez joined the Yankees for Opening Day and addressed reporters before the game, saying he was eager to come back from his second hip surgery but wasn't as eager to discuss reports of his alleged ties to a Miami clinic accused of supplying players with performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez said he wouldn't comment on the report -- or reports the Yankees explored whether they could void the five years left on his contract -- saying he stood by a statement his public relations people issued denying any wrongdoing. Rodriguez was not introduced during the Opening Day ceremonies, saying, "I don't need to be introduced to feel like I'm part of this team." He said his rehab was in an early stage, but things were going well and he expected to return this season. ... The Yankees hosted first responders to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., and both teams wore ribbons honoring the victims of the shooting, which included 20 children who were shot to death in December. Major League Baseball also asked all teams to wear ribbons on Opening Day and the Yankees are planning a day for children of the school and their families on July 7, when school is out.
