All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 10-2 win over the Yankees, complete with BSJ analysis and insight
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Betts wins first batting title: The American League batting title doesn't hold the same cachet thanks to the avalanche of analytics and new ways of measuring offensive production, but there's still something a little special about leading the league in hitting. Mookie Betts, who went 1-for-2 for being lifted, finished with a .346 batting average, best in the A.L. He's the first Red Sox hitter to win the crown since Bill Mueller in 2003 and his average is the highest for a Red Sox hitter since Manny Ramirez hit .349 in 2002. He's also the first Red Sox hitter to leads the majors in average since Wade Boggs in 1988. "I put in a lot of work to get where I am,'' said Betts. "It's definitely an achievement, so I'll be happy to win something like that, especially when only two people win it and I'm one of them.'' Added manager Alex Cora of the season Betts had: "I knew he was good, but to see it on daily basis and the effort and the work he puts into his craft, is eye-opening.'' Said J.D. Martinez: "If he's not the MVP, then I don't know who is. He's as good as advertised.''
Martinez sets home run record: When Martinez homered into the Red Sox bullpen in the fourth inning, he had his 43rd homer and set a record for most homers by a Red Sox player in his first year with the team. The previous mark had been 42, set by Dick Stuart in 1963. "Honestly, I wasn't even aware of that until (a PR official) told me a few seconds ago,'' said Martinez. "It's great. Obviously, it's an honor, but I think I'm more proud of us winning 108 games.'' Martinez's 43 homers are the most by a Red Sox player since David Ortiz set the club mark in 2006 with 54. Martinez also finished by leading the majors with 130 RBI, the most by a Red Sox hitter since Ortiz had 137 in 2006. He becomes only the ninth Red Sox player to have 130 or more RBI in a season. He also set career highs with 188 hits and with 82 extra-base hits.
Rodriguez straightens out: Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez had a brutal outing Saturday in which he allowed four hits and two walks for two runs in two innings. Cora was unusually critical of the outing while talking with reporters post-game Saturday, and the manager called Rodriguez into his office later to let him know of his unhappiness. Cora's message was direct: Rodriguez had to be better. Initially, Rodriguez wasn't supposed to pitch in the final game, but he was sent out for an inning and responded well, getting a foul popup and two strikeouts. "Better,'' said Cora with a smile Sunday night. "That was good. Velocity was good. He threw a good changeup, and a back-door cutter to strike out (Aaron) Judge. I told him he had to pitch with a purpose, with conviction, and he did.''
TURNING POINT
The Yankees sloppy play in the early going sent the Red Sox on their way in the first two innings. First, came an error in right by Aaron Judge on the second batter of the inning, allowing the first run to score. Next came an error on starting pitcher Luis Cessa, enabling Eduardo Nunez to reach and yet another run to score. And finally, in the second inning, a dropped foul ball by Brett Gardner extended an at-bat for Jackie Bradley, who, instead of being the first out of the inning, started a three-run second with a single two pitches later.
TWO UP
Drew Pomeranz: In what was very likely his last appearance in a Red Sox uniform, Pomeranz turned in a 1-2-3 innings in the eighth and had two strikeouts.
Xander Bogaerts: The shortstop kept adding to his best season, hitting a two-run homer to give a career-high 23 to go along with his career-best 103. He also finished with career highs in doubles, extra-base hits and slugging percentage.
ONE DOWN
Sandy Leon: He was hitless in his final regular season game, going 0-for-4 with a strikeout, and finishing the regular season with a .177 batting average. He has just 11 hits since the All-Star break.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"We're happy with (108 wins), but we know what's coming and our goal is to win 11 games in October.''
— Alex Cora
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- The Red Sox became just the 12th team since 1900 to win as many as 108 games and the first since the 2001 Seattle Mariners.
- Alex Cora's 108 wins are the second-most ever by a first-year, first-time manager. Ralph Houk is the record-holder with 109 wins with the 1961 Yankees.
- The Red Sox' .704 winning percentage is their best since 1978 (720).
- The Sox used 22 players in the win, the most in a game since 1908.
- Boston drew 2,895,575 fans at Fenway for the season.