Matsui’s two jacks anchor Yanks in finale

Hideki Matsui hit his third and fourth homers in the last three days, as the Yankees (78-46) took the series with a 8-4 win over the Red Sox (70-53). CC Sabathia earned his major league leading 15th win over fourteen-game-winner Josh Beckett.

Quick ‘Cap:
The Yankees scored one or more runs in each of the first five innings off Beckett, but he remained in the game for eight innings. Six of his eight earned runs came on long balls, including solo homers from Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Matsui (2). Alex Rodriguez’s two-run homer in the fifth provided key insurance runs for Sabathia.

Sabathia, plagued by a high pitch count early on, only could record two outs in the seventh before Phil Hughes finally got his turn. Hughes didn’t have great control, but easily rolled through the top of the Red Sox’ order. Mariano Rivera got some much-needed work in the ninth and was typical Mo. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
The series win shuts up all Red Sox fans who thought the Red Sox were the Yankees’ weakness this season. After losing the first eight, the Yankees have fought back to a 6-9 record with three more left to play in September.

Sabathia has quietly won his last five starts and is now the major league leader. He will have a chance to go 6-0 in August when he pitches against the White Sox this weekend.

Line of the Night:
A-Rod: 1-for-4, R, HR, 3 RBI, K. His only three homers in August have come against the Red Sox. He would have had two more this past Friday if the game were played in the Bronx.

Up Next:
The Yanks finished the road trip 7-3, and head back to New York for six games against the playoff contending Rangers and White Sox. Series previews to be posted later on. But first, the Yanks will enjoy an off-day Monday.