Boston’s first home series against the now 5-4 Yankees supplied reason for optimism in Red Sox nation. Whether you panicked and needed these victories to stay sane or kept an even keel after Boston’s 0-6 start, taking two games out of three from a bitter rival and World Series contender is worthy of celebration. Hopefully this success will continue into the series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

After winning game one of the series (game summary here) the Yankees retaliated with a victory on Saturday. Russell Martin led the way with two home runs against one of his suitors in free agency last off-season. Martin sited his health as a reason for this success, “I’ve been healthy since the beginning of the season, so it definitely is a good feeling. I feel like it’s been a while.”

The former All-Star may be a long term nuisance to Red Sox fans if he keeps this up. Yankees starting pitcher Ivan Nova didn’t make it out of the fifth inning but the Yankees bullpen shut down the Red Sox not unlike how the Red Sox bullpen pitched in game one of the series. Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano added bombs in the 9-4 Yankee victory.

On the Red Sox’ side Carl Crawford remained atop the lineup for the Red Sox. In game two the middle infield, consisting of Dustin Pedroia and Jed Lowrie, both accumulated three hits. Lowrie’s bat may force Terry Francona to increase his playing time as the Stanford product regularly bats higher in the lineup than fellow shortstop Marco Scutaro when he is in the lineup. He also posted a .900+ OPS in the 2010 season.

Starter Clay Buchholz struggled again in his second appearance of the season. The electric right-hander didn’t show his best stuff in 3.2 innings allowing eight hits and three walks.

Sunday’s prime-time game featured the Red Sox and Yankees and Josh Beckett didn’t disappoint. Considering last year’s struggles along with his career struggles against the Yankees, many went into the game wondering how Beckett would fare in this start.

Not only did Beckett allow a meager two hits and one walk over eight innings of shutout ball, but 22 of his 24 outs came via strikeout or ground out. Both of the Yankees hits were singles and Beckett looked like the guy who went 4-0 in the 2007 championship run. With John Lackey, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Clay Buchholz collectively pitching badly, Beckett gave the Red Sox a much needed “stop the bleeding” performance.

Josh Beckett was excellent on one side but on the other CC Sabathia was elusive. The Red Sox somehow put nine hits on the board along with four walks yet only scored one run off the imposing Yankee ace. This is a testament to Sabathia’s greatness rather than the Red Sox struggles. When you net 13 base-runners in under 6 innings you’re doing your job.

Dustin Pedroia once again accounted for three Red Sox hits in the final game of the three game series. Pedroia’s recent tear raised his season average to .400. Hopefully other struggling Red Sox choose to follow the scrappy second baseman’s lead.

On the Yankee side Robinson Cano and Eric Chavez accounted for the two hits and Mark Teixaria took the lone walk. Teixaria and DH Jorge Posada each whiffed three times in the game. In the bullpen inefficiency plagued Joba Chamberlain. It took the seventh inning specialist 26 pitches to record two outs. The burly reliever allowed two runs and lacks the fastball velocity he once possessed that made him one of the most exciting pitchers in baseball.

Jonathan Papelbon closed out the win for the second time this season and while he didn’t record the save, he impressed by striking out two batters and allowed no base-runners in the ninth inning. Now more than ever the Red Sox need a reliable closer to ensure that no games are given away. Papelbon is showing why he’s the guy for the job.

In other Red Sox news, Clay Buchholz signed a cost-effective extension with the Red Sox worth 30.5 million over four seasons. Buchholz posted the second best ERA in the American League last season and is averaging just under eight million a year for the first four seasons of the contract. Compare that to what the Yankees spent on a set-up man this off-season in Rafael Soriano, who is getting 35 million over three seasons.

The Red Sox also possess two team options at the end of the four year contract. Therefore the Red Sox own the rights to Buchholz for up to six seasons if they choose to exercise them. Those optional years are worth a combined 26.5 million dollars. At that point in Buchholz’s career, that’s approximately what he would receive in free agency assuming he stays healthy and his career goes as planned. A great investment for the Red Sox.

In the bullpen some shuffling recently occurred. First off, Dennys Reyes was designated for assignment. Some bashing of the consistently poor lefty can be found here, and here. Felix Doubront, who’s injury prevented him from starting the season at full strength, received the vacated roster spot.

Francona openly praised Doubront upon his call up, saying, “I’ve wanted him to be in the bullpen. I love him in the bullpen this year.” Perhaps the Red Sox knew all along that Reyes would hit the road sooner rather than later. Doubront enjoyed success at the minor league level as a starting pitcher posting a career 3.60 ERA and a 2.81 between AA and AAA last season.

All but one of Doubront’s appearances at the minor league level came as a starting pitcher, so it is fair to assume that as a relief pitcher his ERA would stand a fair amount lower. Doubront is still the only lefty in the bullpen, but is certainly a step up from Reyes.

In other news, Matt Albers hit the DL and former Yankee Alfredo Aceves was called up to take his place. Aceves already made two appearances for the Red Sox against the Yanks.

The Red Sox played well in their first home series of the year. If this success carries over against the struggling Tampa Bay Rays the Red Sox will inch closer to .500. It’s important for the Red Sox to remain calm and take one game at a time. You can’t win five games at once, just like you can’t hit a three run homer with no one on base. Someone please relay the latter information to Carl Crawford.

Tags: Boston Red Sox, Clay Buchholz, Dennys Reyes, Felix Doubront, Joba Chamberlain, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Beckett, New York Yankees, Russell Martin

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