NEW YORK, May 28 (AFP) - The Boston Red Sox put on an awesome offensive display Saturday, banging out 27 hits in a 17-1 rout of Carl Pavano and the New York Yankees.
It was Boston’s most lopsided win over their bitter American League East division rivals.
Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez, Edgar Renteria and Trot Nixon combined to go 14-for-20 with 12 RBI. Damon and Ramirez each had four hits, Renteria went 3-for-3 with his fourth career grand slam and five RBI and Nixon also drove in five runs.
It was the most hits for the Red Sox since they matched a club-record with 28 in a June 27, 2003 interleague game against the Florida Marlins.
Ironically, Florida’s starter in that game was Red Sox whipping boy Pavano, who allowed six runs and failed to retire a batter.
Pavano did better this time but still was pounded for five runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Pavano was a prize free agent courted by both the Yankees and Red Sox in the offseason. He ended up signing a four-year deal worth just under 40 million dollars with New York.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox ended up signing Matt Clement to a three-year deal worth 25 million dollars. Clement has turned that move into a pretty strong consolation prize. In this one, he tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just five hits and four walks with seven strikeouts.
After knocking out Pavano, the Red Sox took no mercy on relievers Mike Stanton, Paul Quantrill and Buddy Groom, who combined to yield 12 runs and 16 hits in 5 1/3 innings.
What - no post about the Cubs 14-6 mauling of the Sox at Wrigley?
