The Boston Red Sox entered their biggest series of the season with a chance to make a serious move in the American League standings.
They left the Bronx moving in the wrong direction.
Boston was shut out 6-0 by the New York Yankees in Sunday afternoon’s series finale at Yankee Stadium, completing a tough weekend in which the Red Sox dropped three of four games. The Red Sox fell to 74-63, four games behind the Yankees, who improved to 78-59 and strengthened their hold on the American League’s top wild-card position.
Boston also lost the season series, giving New York an important tiebreaker if the clubs finish with identical records.
Red Sox Offense Struggles
Boston began Sunday with plenty of reason for optimism. Roman Anthony and Trevor Story returned from lengthy injury absences, adding two important pieces to interim manager Chad Tracy’s lineup. Anthony immediately moved into the leadoff spot, while Story started at shortstop and batted eighth.
FINAL: Yankees 16, #RedSox 1
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Their returns did not provide the immediate spark Boston needed.
The Red Sox managed only four hits and failed to score against Will Warren and the Yankees bullpen. It marked Boston’s third shutout loss in five games.
It’s an alarming offensive trend for a team attempting to secure a postseason spot.
Boston opened its road trip with consecutive victories over the Miami Marlins before being shut out 4-0 in the series finale. The Red Sox then suffered a 1-0 loss to New York on Friday and another scoreless afternoon Sunday.
Their only victory in the four-game series came Saturday afternoon, when Wilyer Abreu homered and Jake Bennett delivered six scoreless innings in a 6-0 win.
The Red Sox scored just eight runs over four games against New York. Six of them came in Saturday’s victory, including four in the ninth inning after the outcome largely had been decided.
Boston was outscored 26-3 in its three losses.
One Inning Buries Ranger Suárez
Ranger Suárez kept the Yankees scoreless through the first four innings, giving Boston time to find an offensive answer.
That answer never arrived.
New York broke the game open with five runs in the fifth inning.
Paul Goldschmidt started the scoring with a two-run single before Heliot Ramos delivered the decisive blow. Ramos launched a three-run home run off Suárez, instantly turning a close game into a 5-0 Yankees advantage.
Austin Wells added a sacrifice fly in the sixth against Greg Weissert to complete the scoring.
Suárez was charged with five earned runs over 5 1/3 innings. The difficult fifth inning spoiled what had been a competitive start and left the Red Sox facing another large deficit less than 24 hours after their pitching staff surrendered nine runs in Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader.
Boston allowed 15 runs over its final 17 defensive innings of the series.
Red Sox Lose Ground in AL Wild Card Standings
This series represented an opportunity for Boston to change the complexion of the wild-card race. The Red Sox arrived in New York three games behind the Yankees. They temporarily moved within two games after winning the first half of Saturday’s doubleheader.
By Sunday evening, the deficit had grown to four.
Boston went 1-3 in the series, lost the season tiebreaker and fell further behind New York. The Red Sox also remain well behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East race.
The timing makes the weekend especially damaging.
Boston is running out of schedule, and the margin for error is shrinking. The club has cooled dramatically after a remarkable 32-5 stretch propelled it into the postseason picture earlier this summer.
The Red Sox likely now must shift their attention to protecting their existing wild-card position rather than chasing the Yankees for the top spot.
MORE: Red Sox Reveal Reinforced Lineup For Crucial Yankees Series Finale
Boston Returns Home Looking For Answers
The Red Sox will not have much time to sit with the loss. They return to Fenway Park on Monday to open a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners. First pitch for the opener is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET.
Anthony and Story should make the lineup deeper once they settle back into major league competition. Their presence matters, especially with Boston’s offense struggling.
Losing three of four to the Yankees was damaging enough. Being shut out three times in five games while falling further back in the standings certainly raises some concerns.
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