(Best E Casino) - The most prestigious rivalry in
baseball will take center stage tonight, as the
New York Yankees and the
Boston Red Sox will close out a three-game stint at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox will turn to Jon Lester, whose last defeat came back on May 25th. Since his previous setback, the southpaw is 5-0 in nine outings, and that includes a victory over Seattle this past Monday.
The 24-year-old was outstanding against the Mariners, holding Seattle scoreless through 7 1/3 innings of work, scattering eight hits and striking out six batters.
Earlier this season Lester dominated the Bronx Bombers, as the young hurler threw nine shutout innings and struck out eight Yankees.
Sidney Ponson will make his fifth start since being acquired by the Yankees back on June 19th. In his four previous starts the right-hander is 2-0 and is coming off a 12-4 victory over Minnesota. In the win over the Twins, the 31- year-old surrendered three runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings of duty.
Whether in a Texas uniform or Yankee pinstripes Ponson has done a strong job pitching as the visitor, posting a 3-1 ledger with an equally impressive 2.33 ERA.
On Saturday, Robinson Cano homered and finished with three RBI on three hits to lead the Yankees over the Red Sox, 10-3. Bobby Abreu drove in two runs on a pair of hits for the Yankees, who have won eight straight games.
In his Yankees debut, outfielder Xavier Nady scored a run, but was hitless in three at-bats. On Friday, the Yankees acquired the outfielder and pitcher Damaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for prospects.
J.D. Drew homered for the Red Sox, who dropped their second straight on the heels of a three-game win streak.
Andy Pettitte (12-7) has won seven of his last nine matchups after only allowing one earned run in six innings of work on Saturday. The southpaw surrendered three total runs, five hits and three walks while striking out seven.
Tim Wakefield (6-8) took the loss after getting tagged for six runs in 5 1/3 innings. The knuckleballer also gave up eight hits and four walks, while striking out three.
New York leads the season series, 6-5.
