A Near-Bronx Massacre

There are two series over the last few decades that have become known as "Boston Massacre".  The first was a three-game series at Fenway in 1978 when the Yankees came to town and vastly outscored a reeling Red Sox team.  The second was in 2006 when the Yankees swept a five-game series against the Red Sox.  This was this close to a Bronx Massacre.

09/05:  Red Sox 9 (85-57) Yankees 8
The Red Sox took an early lead in this one behind Jake Peavy.  Unfortunately after being up 7-2, the bullpen squandered the lead and the Yankees lead 8-7 after the seventh.  Boston managed to manufacture the tying run in the 9th off of Mariano Rivera and Shane Victorino drove in the game-winner in the 10th.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:
SHANE VICTORINO:  2 for 6, home run, 3 RBIs, stolen base.

09/06:  Red Sox 12 (86-57) Yankees 8
Felix Doubront struggled with his command and the Red Sox were down 8-3 coming into the seventh.  They got one run and then had the bases loaded when Mike Napoli homered to tie it up.  Shane Victorino homered again to take the lead.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:
MIKE NAPOLI:  3 for 3, 3 runs, 4 RBIs, grand slam, double.

09/07:  Red Sox 13 (87-57) Yankees 9
In this game, Boston took the lead early and did not relinquish.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:
MIKE NAPOLI:  2 for 5, 2 home runs, 3 RBIs.

09/08:  Yankees 4 Red Sox 3 (87-58)
Boston trailed 3-2 in the ninth when Will Middlebrooks homered off Mariano Rivera, who blew his second save against the Red Sox in the series.  Unfortunately Brandon Workman uncorked a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth with Ichiro on third to lose the game.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:
WILL MIDDLEBROOKS:  2 for 3, home run.