The Boston Red Sox dropped Game 2 of a three-game series against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on Saturday, falling 5-3.
The Red Sox drop to 88-67 while the Yankees improve to the same record, tying Boston for the top American League Wild Card spot.
You can view the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
Nick Pivetta was spectacular, going 5 1/3 innings with just one earned run on three hits. He didn’t allow a single walk and struck out seven. After Friday’s implosion from Nate Eovaldi, a solid start was much needed. But the Red Sox bullpen totally blew this one open in the top of the eighth.
Tanner Houck stepped into the seventh inning and issued two consecutive four-pitch walks, but he worked his way out of the jam courtesy of a double play and a strikeout. In the eighth, Houck was poised to strike out the side, but couldn’t get it done with two outs. With two more walks, the Red Sox turned to Darwinzon Hernandez.
Hernandez hit Anthony Rizzo with a pitch to load the bases, then gave up a grand slam to Giancarlo Stanton.
STARS OF THE GAME
— Stanton was the hero for the Yankees with his grand slam. Batting cleanup as New York’s designated hitter, he finished 2-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
— Kevin Plawecki was the only Red Sox player to log multiple hits. He went 2-for-2 with a walk, and his third-inning home run got Boston on the board.
— Bobby Dalbec launched a 394-foot home run to give the Red Sox a shot in the ninth inning, but it was too little too late.
WAGER WATCH
Anyone who had Stanton going for another big night after his four-RBI performance Friday was in luck. DraftKings Sportsbook had him at +138 to log at least one RBI, and those prop bettors lucked out when he finally came through with his eighth-inning grand slam.
ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox will close out the series against the Yankees on Sunday, with coverage airing on ESPN at 7:08 p.m. ET. Boston then hits the road to face the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m., and you can watch it live on NESN.
