BOSTON — Let’s face facts. This weekend is all about Derek Jeter.
Jeter, who hit a walk-off single in his final home game Thursday at Yankee Stadium, didn’t play in Friday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. There was a distinct buzz in the air, however, and it certainly had nothing to do with the actual on-field product.
The Yankees’ lineup full of no-namers took down the Red Sox’s rookie-laden squad 3-2. Boston had scored 22 runs over its last two games, but Chris Capuano slowed the offense over 6 2/3 innings.
Let’s run down Friday’s happenings.
— There was some question about whether Jeter would consider ending his season — and career — with Thursday’s incredible walk-off moment. The possibility never crossed Jeter’s mind.
Jeter plans to serve as the Yankees’ designated hitter at some point this weekend. While he wanted his final game at shortstop to be at Yankee Stadium, the 40-year-old felt he owed it to the Red Sox organization, the Boston fans and the two clubs’ storied rivalry to play in the final series of the year at Fenway.
Jeter admitted he probably wouldn’t play in the final road series if it took place anywhere other than Boston.
— Jeter has carte blanche.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Jeter can do whatever he wants this weekend. That includes managing, though Jeter respectfully declined when asked whether he’d consider handling the Yankees’ managerial duties.
Jeter simply plans to DH, as he’s never considered playing any position other than shortstop.
— David Ortiz was among those who expressed admiration of Jeter before the game.
— The Yankees’ lineup was pretty hilarious. The Red Sox’s wasn’t quite as laughable, but it certainly lacked experience and star power.
The two starting lineups entered Friday’s game with a combined 2,898 career hits. The Yankees’ lineup accounted for 1,738 of those hits. The Red Sox’s lineup had 1,160.
That means the 18 players who started the game had 565 fewer hits than Jeter has in his 20-year career. (h/t Yahoo! Sports’ Big League Stew).
— Red Sox fans chanted “Der-ek Je-ter! Der-ek Je-ter!” throughout the evening.
— Steven Wright, making his first major league start of 2014, did not allow an earned run over five innings. He suffered the loss, though, as the Yankees plated two unearned runs against the knuckleballer.
Wright struck out Eury Perez in the third inning. The called third strike deflected off catcher Dan Butler’s glove, allowing Perez to reach at first base. Perez moved up to second on another passed ball and scored on Francisco Cervelli’s single.
Cervelli scored when Mookie Betts fired an errant throw to first on a potential inning-ending double play.
Wright allowed four hits and two walks. He struck out four while throwing 92 pitches (53 strikes) and lowered his season ERA to 2.57.
— Matt Barnes allowed one run on two hits and a walk over two relief innings.
He featured good velocity, pounded the strike zone — 27 of his 39 pitches were strikes — and struck out two.
— Heath Hembree tossed two scoreless innings.
— Bryce Brentz is making the most of his playing time, as he went 1-for-3 with an RBI single. His pair of fly ball outs were well-struck.
Brentz is hitting .389 (7-for-18) since being called up.
— Rusney Castillo appears to have big league power.
Castillo homered for the second straight game. He absolutely crushed a solo blast into the parking lot across Lansdowne Street.
Castillo, who also singled and stole a base, is hitting .267 (8-for-30) with five RBIs and an .813 OPS in eight games with Boston. The Cuban outfielder has been very impressive when one considers his down time before signing with the Red Sox last month.
Photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
