The Yankees were shutdown by the Boston Red Sox in their 3-0 series finale loss on Sunday Night Baseball in the Bronx.
Here are some takeaways…
– Luis Gil allowed 16 runs in just 9.2 innings over his previous three outings coming into the night, but he was able to regain his dominant form in this one. The right-hander cruised his way through the Boston lineup, holding them to just three baserunners over six terrific shutout innings. Yankee killer Rafael Devers was finally able to get to him in the seventh, though, as he roped an opposite-field solo homer to break the ice. Gil lowered his ERA down to 3.27 after allowing one run on four hits while striking out nine over 6.2 innings.
– Devers made a terrific barehanded play to rob DJ LeMahieu of an infield single in the bottom of the eighth and then cracked another solo shot a few innings later to add a much-needed insurance run in the ninth. For Devers, it was the 28 and 29th home runs and 70th and 71st RBIs in his career against the Yankees, which are both the most among active players. The sweet-swinging lefty reached base safely in all three games during the weekend series and he left the yard three times over the final two games.
– Unfortunately for Gil and the Yankees, Boston’s Kutter Crawford was even better in this one. The righty absolutely mowed down the Bombers lineup efficiently and effectively, needing just 40 pitches to get through five easy frames. He faced some trouble in the seventh, as Juan Soto led off the inning with a hustle double, but he was able to retire the heart of the order to dance his way out of danger. Crawford earned his fifth win of the season after allowing just four base runners and striking out four across seven shutout innings.
– After homering three times in Saturday’s win, Ben Rice was held in check by Crawford and the Red Sox. The rookie finished the night 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts, one of which stranded a man in scoring position to end the bottom of the sixth. He’s still been taking advantage of his opportunity, posting a strong .904 OPS through 18 games since being recalled from Triple-A.
– With the Orioles beating the Athletics this afternoon, the Yankees now trail them by 3.0 games in the American League East. New York has not won any of their last seven series and they haven’t won back-to-back games since the middle of June.
MVP of the Game: Rafael Devers
As has been the case so often when these two teams have met over the years, Devers was square in the middle of things to help the Red Sox pull out the series win.
He’s now tied with Hall of Famer an former Red Sox legend David Ortiz for the third-most home runs at Yankee Stadium as a road player.
Upcoming schedule
The Yankees have an off day as they head down to Tampa Bay to start a six-game roadtrip against the Rays on Tuesday at 6:50 p.m.
Left-hander Carlos Rodon (9-6, 4.45 ERA) takes the ball looking to get back on track against righty Ryan Pepiot (4-5, 4.40 ERA).
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