The New York Yankees were unable to hold on to a 2-0 lead as the Boston Red Sox comeback to steal game one of the three-game series.
- New York Yankees: 2 (8-13)
- Boston Red Sox: 4 (13-10)
- American League, FINAL, Box Score
- Fenway Park, Boston, MA
By Christian Kouroupakis
Nicely put, things just aren’t going the New York Yankees‘ way right now as they dropped their fourth game in a row and the first of three in the weekend series against the Red Sox.
The Bombers got yet another solid start from their ace as Tanaka went 6.2 innings of two-run ball and struck out five compared to zero walks. His ERA is down to 2.87 and tonight was the 27-year old’s third straight quality start.
Despite the stellar start, the Yankees were unable to cash in on a poor start by Henry Owens. Owens also pitched a quality start but threw 53% of his pitches for balls.
Of the first 20 batters to face Owens, nine of them reached base but the only run scored on a home run by Alex Rodriguez.
They would later score their second run on a Brett Gardner single but they could have easily won the game if they took advantage of the opportunities Owens handed to them.
Tanaka got rattled around in the seventh inning and lost the lead after Jackie Bradley Jr. doubled off the green monster in left to score Travis Shaw and Brock Holt.
Dellin Betances, who was inhuman with his nastiness all season, surrendered the difference maker to David Ortiz. Ortiz, who now has 48 homers off the Yankees in his career, lifted a go-ahead two-run home run over the green monster to give the Red Sox a 4-2 lead.
Craig Kimbrel came on to pitch in the ninth and slammed the door shut with his seventh save to secure a victory for Boston.
FINAL: #RedSox 4, Yankees 2 pic.twitter.com/UYiyd53gkQ
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) April 30, 2016
Oh Headley…:
Chase Headley, who was responsible for five out of the 27 outs tonight, just can’t figure it out at the plate and it seems as though the frustration has found its way onto the field.
In addition to going 0-for-3 with two double plays and dropping his season average to .140, he made an error on an in-between hop.
Headley has yet to have an extra-base hit in 2016 and has not nearly lived up to that $52-million contract.
Rally Killer:
Through the first three innings, the Yankees had five baserunners but only managed one run which was the solo shot by Rodriguez.
In those innings, New York hit into a double play to end each of the frames. Carlos Beltran grounded into a 5-4-3 double play in the first, Chase Headley flew out into a 7-2 double play in the second, and a strike-em-out-throw-em-out double play ended the third.
Through the first five innings, the Yankees fell victim to four double plays. Unquestionably, they had plenty of opportunities to score and win the ballgame.
Strike ’em out, throw ’em out!!! ?
To the bottom of the 3️⃣rd we go!
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) April 30, 2016
Milestone:
A-Rod’s 691st career home run in the top of the second inning passed Cap Anson for sole possession of 20th place on the All-Time hits list with hit number 3,082.
Next on the list is Dave Winfield who owns 3,110 career hits.
A-Rod moves past Cap Anson for 20th on the all-time hit list at 3,082. It’s his 691st homer.
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) April 29, 2016
This Day In Yankees’ History:
On this day in 1923, the New York Yankees signed eventual legend, Lou Gehrig, out of Columbia University which was the birth of one greatest careers in baseball history.
The contract was $2,000 including a $1,500 signing bonus. The results definitely show that the money, which was a big deal for 1923, was worth is as Gehrig became one of the best players to ever put on Yankee pinstripes.
What’s Next:
Game two will take place at the same time and the same place.
Michael Pineda (1-2, 6.95) vs Rick Porcello (4-0, 3.51 ERA)
Pineda has struggled mightily to say the least in his first four starts in 2016 as he’s allowed 30 hits in his 22 innings of work.
Yes, his strikeout total is ranked fifth among American League pitchers with four starts or fewer, but he surrendered seven homers which is one of the highest totals in all of baseball.
Porcello is off to a strong start as he has a winning decision in his first four starts. The righty has decent numbers in 11 starts against the Yankees going 5-4 with a 3.66 ERA in 11 starts.
The righty has decent numbers in 11 starts against the Yankees going 5-4 with a 3.66 ERA in 11 starts.
First pitch will come at or around 7:10 and it will be broadcasted on WPIX and nationally on MLB Network.
NEXT: Top 10 Moments In Yankees/Red Sox History
