"New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi was looking forward to last night's game with the Red Sox for reasons beyond completing a series sweep at Fenway Park.

After spoiling the ballpark's centennial birthday celebration with a 6-2 victory on Friday, the Yankees embarrassed their hosts by rallying from a 9-0 deficit to capture a 15-9 win on Saturday.

A strong coastal storm washed out the series finale and a pitching matchup Girardi was curious to see play out. The Yanks skipper wanted a longer-than-normal look at Red Sox right-hander Daniel Bard, who was scheduled to start opposite New York lefty ace CC Sabathia (1-0, 5.59 ERA).

Bard (0-2, 4.63) was down to make his third career start and first against the Yankees.

"I've watched a couple of his starts and he still has the 97s and the 98s," Girardi said, referring to the speed of Bard's fastball."