The Yankees were eliminated in their 3-0 loss in the final series by the Boston Red Sox. Sunday evening baseball in the Bronx.
Here are some key points…
– Luis Gil allowed 16 runs in just 9.2 innings in his previous three outings, but he was able to regain his dominant form in this game. The right-hander swept through the Boston lineup, holding them to just three baserunners in six stellar shutout innings. Yankee Killer Rafael Devers was finally able to reach him in the seventh inning, when he hit a solo home run that broke the ice. Gil lowered his ERA to 3.27 after allowing one run on four hits and striking out nine in 6.2 innings.
– Devers made a great barehanded move to DJ LeMahieu of an infield single in the bottom of the eighth, then hit another solo shot a few innings later to add a much-needed insurance run in the ninth. For Devers, it was the 28th and 29th home runs and 70th and 71st RBIs of his career against the Yankees, both of which are active players. The left-handed pitcher reached base safely in all three games during the weekend series and has left the yard three times in the last two games.
– Unfortunately for Gil and the Yankees, Boston’s Cutter Crawford was even better in this one. The right-hander mowed down the Bombers lineup efficiently and effectively, needing only 40 pitches to get through five easy frames. He ran into some trouble in the seventh, as Juan Soto started the inning with a hustle double, but he was able to drop the heart of the order to dance his way out of danger. Crawford earned his fifth win of the season after allowing just four baserunners and striking out four in seven shutout innings.
– After hitting three home runs in Saturday’s win, Am 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 inning. He has still taken advantage of his opportunity, posting a strong .904 OPS in 18 games since being recalled from Triple-A.
– With the Orioles beating the Athletics this afternoon, the Yankees are now 3.0 games behind them 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 mid-June.
MVP of the match: Rafael Devers
As has been the case so often when these two teams have met over the years, Devers stepped up to help the Red Sox win.
He now ties with a former Red Sox legend in the Hall of Fame David Ortiz for the third-most home runs at Yankee Stadium as an away player.
Upcoming planning
The Yankees have the day off and travel to Tampa Bay to open a six-game road trip against the Rays on Tuesday at 6:50 p.m.
Left-handed Carlos Rodón (9-6, 4.45 ERA) takes the ball and tries to get back on track against the right-hander Ryan Pepiot (4-5, ERA of 4.40).