The Red Sox were dealt pretty close to a nightmare scenario Sunday at Yankee Stadium as Boston watched starting pitcher Chris Sale exit the game with a broken pinkie before eventually being handed another series loss to an American League East rival.
The Yankees scored 13 runs on 14 hits, all while Gerrit Cole handcuffed the Red Sox for a 13-2 verdict.
Boston, having lost eight of its last 10 games, has dropped to 48-45 on the campaign. The first-place Yankees improved to 64-28 heading into the MLB All-Star break.
You can view the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
The Red Sox now enter the MLB All-Star break on arguably the lowest of low notes.
Sale departed from the series finale after throwing just 24 pitches. The left-hander recorded two outs before taking a line drive from Aaron Hicks off his pitching hand. Sale immediately walked off the diamond and toward the Red Sox dugout with his pinkie out of position. It was later revealed that Sale suffered a broken pinkie on his left hand, likely meaning he'll head back to the injured list after just his second start of the season.
Boston will benefit from having the chance to regroup with the break, but there weren't many bright spots to come out of their second series loss to the Yankees this season. The Red Sox also combine to strike out 16 times Sunday, which marked a season high as a team.
STARS OF THE GAME
-- Gerrit Cole, who has had troubles with the Red Sox and specifically Rafael Devers in the past, put together a strong showing. After seemingly throwing at Devers during his first plate appearance, Cole held the MLB All-Star without a hit and struck him out twice. Cole allowed just two runs on four hits while striking out 12 Red Sox batters in seven innings.
-- Tim Locastro was one of four Yankee batters to record multiple hits Sunday. The Yankees outfielder finished with three hits (3-for-4), two RBIs and two runs scored including a two-run home run in the fourth inning to extend New York's lead to 11-2. The Yankees gained separation by scoring eight runs on seven hits in the fourth.
-- Jeter Downs was perhaps the lone bright spot for the Red Sox. Boston's second baseman, who continues to be in the lineup with Trevor Story on the injured list, recorded a pair of hits off Cole including the first home run of his young career. He had the only two RBIs for the visitors.
WAGER WATCH
There's something to be said about betting pitchers to earn a win rather than the team itself. Doing so would have helped bettors receive more favorable prices Sunday as Cole was +105 to earn the win while the Yankees were a -190 moneyline favorite, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox will return from the MLB All-Star break Friday as Boston hosts the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. You can watch Friday's game with NESN 360 as first pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET after an hour of pregame coverage.
