The Boston Red Sox picked up a win in the series opener against the Yankees, improving to 27–35. They’re 11 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League East. They’re 3.5 games back of the Rangers for the final spot in the American League wild card standings.
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MLB Game Recap
The Yankees struck first as they got a solo home run in the first. The Red Sox answered in the third as Wilyer Abreu drove home a run on a groundout, then Willson Contreras reached on a single, driving home Jarren Duran to make it 2-1. The Red Sox added another run in the fourth as Andruw Monasterio hit a solo home run to left field. The Yankees made it a one-run game with an RBI double, but the Red Sox ended the threat. The Red Sox added to their lead in the fifth with a two-run homer from Contreras to make it 5-2. The Yankees got a run back in the bottom half on a solo home run. The Yankees threatened in the bottom of the ninth after a leadoff walk and a one-out walk, but they got out of it.
Sonny Gray went 6.1 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits. He walked two and struck out three. The Red Sox bullpen, with Danny Coulombe, Justin Slaten, and Aroldis Chapman, went 2.2 shutout innings, allowing no hits, two walks, and striking out two.
Standout Performer
Willson Contreras had three RBI with his single in the third and two-run home run in the fifth inning, which led Boston to their win in the series opener.
Key News & Notes
Following yesterday’s game against the Orioles, the Red Sox optioned right-handed pitcher Brayan Bello. He went five innings, allowing eight runs on seven hits. This season in his starts, he’s 1-6 with a 10.34 ERA, a 2.21 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts in 35.2. Bello, with an opener in four appearances, is 1-0. He has a 0.71 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts in 25.1. He’ll hopefully get his situation figured out in Worcester. He was also asked postgame yesterday about the starting and bullpen situation, to which he said
“First of all, just stop talking about the bullpen and starting games. I’ve always been a starter, and when I’ve been successful as a starter, no one has questioned whether I have to be in the bullpen or starting games. So, starting from there, just stop that talk, I’m just having a bad season.” – Brayan Bello via interpreter
Farm Report
- Worcester Red Sox (AAA): Tsung-Che Cheng went 2-5 with three RBI in a 6-3 win over the Bison.
- Portland Sea Dogs (AA): Ahbram Liendo went 1-2 with a grand slam in an 8-7 loss to the Yard Goats.
- Greenville Drive (A+): Jojo Ingrassia went four scoreless innings, allowing two hits, no walks, and struck out six in a 1-0 loss to the Emperors.
- Salem RidgeYaks (A): Stanley Tucker went 1-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in an 11-7 extra inning loss to the Warbirds.
- FCL Red Sox (ROK): Merlin Bido went three scoreless innings, allowing a hit, three walks, and striking out six in a 6-1 loss to FCL Twins.
