The Yankees welcomed their longtime rivals from Boston to the Bronx to begin the second half of the season. Looking to get a huge 10-game stretch that could decide their season, and whether they’re buyers or sellers, off on the right foot it was rather imperative and important that the Yanks took it to Red Sox early and often.
Well, one side did that to the other. However, it wasn’t the way that the Yanks had hoped. Instead, the Red Sox brought their bats and power with them. Their prolific offense clubbed three home runs and started the second half off in a positive way as Boston came away victorious on Friday night by the score of 5-3. Long balls were delivered by Ryan Hanigan, Travis Shaw and All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts who sent Michael Pineda packing after his 2-run shot in the sixth inning.
Though Pineda was tagged for all five runs via the long ball there were some positive steps taken for the right hander who has been mired in struggles throughout his career in pinstripes. However his six strikeouts were simply not enough to get it done and the cons outweighed the pros. Steven Wright, meanwhile, continued his excellent season with a three-hit, four-strikeout performance in which he allowed three runs, all coming in the sixth inning.
The Play: Shaw socks it out of the park (+.163 WPA)
Not only was Travis Shaw’s homer the biggest difference maker in the game. It was also pretty well hit as well as StatCast will tell you. The two-run shot that brought Jackie Bradley Jr. home as well gave the Red Sox enough insurance to stay in control even during the Yankees’ attempted rally in the late innings of the game.
The Highlight: Tex snares and stops a base hit
Although not as satisfying as it could be if a tally mark was made in the win column, Mark Teixeira showed off his fielding abilities in the first inning with this diving play to prevent Mookie Betts from reaching base and connecting with a base hit.
Notes
– There were no multi-hit games for any Yankee hitter on Friday night. They were held to just four hits all game with Carlos Beltran, Alex Rodriguez, Starlin Castro and Chase Headley each collecting a hit. None went for extra bases.
– Travis Shaw’s homer brings him to 10 on the season. The Red Sox now have five players (Shaw, Bogaerts, Bradley Jr., Betts, Ortiz) with 10 or more home runs on the year.
– For the first time in 21 years, the Yankees are under .500 after the All-Star Break.
Up Next
The Yankees will look to get back into the win column on Saturday against the Red Sox. In a late afternoon showing at 4:05 p.m. ET, New York will trot CC Sabathia (5-6, 3.77 ERA) out against Boston and Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3, 8.59 ERA).
Photo Credit: Brad Penner / USA TODAY Sports