Back to .500

Through the first seven games of the season, the Yankee offense just wasn’t getting on track. Sensing that things needed to change, Joe Torre decided to shake things up Wednesday night, by changing his lineup. Tony Womack was promoted to lead off, Alex Rodriguez was put in the fifth spot and Bernie Williams was put at the bottom of the order. The changes helped as the Yankees managed to score five runs against Red Sox ace, Curt Schilling, and defeat Boston 5-2.

Jaret Wright rebounded from his awful start last Friday to hold the Red Sox to two runs over five innings. Wright was far from dominant and was helped by a fine defensive play by Derek Jeter, but considering this was his Yankee debut at Fenway he passed his first big test. The Yankee bullpen also starred as they shut the Red Sox down for four innings with Mariano Rivera getting his first save against Boston in his last five chances. Rivera was actually cheered as he entered the game in the ninth, a rare occurrence on the road and a sign that the Fenway faithful no longer fear “the Sandman”.

Thursday night the Yankees will look to Randy Johnson to pitch them to a victory in the rubber match of this series.

Photo by AP/Steven Senne via ESPN