Projo Sox Blog

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Red Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen experienced an unfamiliar feeling against the Yankees Thursday night.

The hard-throwing right-hander dealt with failure, and it's not something he's not used to.

Entering the game, Delcarmen had a 0.47 ERA in his career against New York, the lowest of any pitcher with at least 20 games against the Yankees since 1954.

The Boston native entered the game in the seventh and surrendered a season-high three runs, which are the most since he allowed three against the Rangers on Aug. 12, 2008. In fact, he had not given up an earned run against the Yankees since Sept. 16, 2006, a span of 16 games.

After Red Sox starter Brad Penny worked six scoreless innings on six hits, he left the game with a 1-0 lead and handed Delcarmen the ball to start the seventh. He allowed back-to-back hits, including an RBI double to the Yankees' Francisco Cervelli. Later in the inning with two on and two outs, Delcarmen surrendered a two-run double to Alex Rodriguez as New York gained a 3-1 advantage.

That's all Red Sox manager Terry Francona needed to see and Delcarmen was given the hook.

"I thought it was a really good situation for him, and he did not command his fastball very well," said Francona. "And because of that it ended up costing him. Sometimes you have got to give credit to the other team."

Delcarmen said he couldn't locate his fastball on two pitches and both cost him.

"That's what got me tonight," he said. "It's baseball and I just have to get back after it tomorrow. Hopefully I can get back on a good streak."

Until someone recently told him of his success, Delcarmen didn't know how well he pitched against the Yankees.

"I've been told," he said. "Everybody always asks me what's your favorite team to face and I always say the Yankees because of growing up in Boston."

His career ERA against the Yankees now is 1.83.

Fortunately, his teammates bailed him out with a 4-3 comeback win.

"I didn't do the job I wanted to do, but it shows the heart of the team to come back. Everything is clicking right now, so it's good," he said.

 Tags  Manny Delcarmen Red Sox Terry Francona Yankees

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