The Yankees couldn’t find enough offense to support Gerrit Cole as they dropped their series opener against rival Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Friday night in the Bronx.
Take away food
– Cole lost his clean record on Friday, but he threw very well considering the offense wasn’t behind him tonight.
He scattered runners throughout his start and used the ground ball to get double plays and stay clear of big innings. Cole allowed just one run in the fourth and another — after a solo shot — in the sixth to keep the Yankees in the game.
The Yanks ace went six innings (101 pitches / 68 strikes), allowing seven hits, one walk, two runs while striking out six.
– Director Aaron Boon changed its roster for the first game of this series. Gleyber Torres was on the bench and wrestling DJ LeMahieu started and played second. It seemed to work as LeMahieu smoked a single to start the home half of the first. He was in a 9-for-62 slump entering Friday. He would pick up another single on his second at bat and finished 2 for 4.
The Yankees struggled to get that timely hit against the starter Garret Whitlock In this one. They had a chance in the first with men on the corners and two outs when Jake Bauer grounded.
In the third, Anthony Rizo came with a second man and lined up to end the inning. Rizzo went 0 for 4 with one strikeout and is now 1 for 28 since returning to the lineup after missing Seattle’s series. He was a little unlucky in a couple of those hard hits, but fair against Red Sox players.
– Raphael Devers, who came in 7 for 30 with six homers and 15 RBI against Cole, gave the ace all he could handle on Friday. He doubled and scored in the fourth, then took the first pitch of his third at bat in the sixth inning. The homer went 405 feet into the visitor’s bullpen in left field. He now has seven career home runs against Cole. He finished 2 for 4.
– Josh Donaldson smashed a 1-0 solo shot down the center straight away to lead the sixth and cut the Red Sox deficit to 2-1. It was Donaldson’s fifth homer of the season and fourth since returning from IL last weekend. The third baseman has six hits this season, five are home runs. He finished 1 for 4.
-The bullpen couldn’t keep the score to a one-point game for long. Albert Abreu came in to start the seventh and gave up a solo shot to Enrique Hernandez that was thrown into the left field stands, putting the Red Sox up 3-1. After releasing a single to Alex Verdugo, Nick Ramirez came in relief. After getting an output, Justin Turner chose but Ramirez made Devers step down to end the threat. jimmy cordero came in and kept the Red Sox off the bases to give the Yanks a chance in the bottom of the ninth.
Here’s how the bullpen broke down on Friday.
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Abreu: 0.2 IP, two hits, one run, one strikeout
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Ramirez: 1.0 IP, one hit, one walk, one strikeout
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Cordero: 1.2 IP, zero hits, zero walks and two strikeouts
– In the seventh round, with Nick Pivette now pitching for the Red Sox, Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a single into the field. This was followed by Billy McKinney who just missed a brace down the right field line. He would strike, evoking a Torres striking. IKF, after being caught stealing in second, slips to second and moves to third on the catcher’s throwing error. He then scored on a wild pitch from Pivetta to cut the Red Sox lead, 3-2.
The Yankees, still trailing 3-2, entered the ninth inning to face the Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen. Bauers hit swinging three pitches. IKF flew to the right before McKinney picked to keep the Yanks’ hopes alive for Torres. The infielder selected the center to place the tying point in second position.
Volpe was on his feet and charged in a 3-2 count that fell just under the left field foul post. The rookie would fly out to shortstop to end the game with the Red Sox 3-2 win.
Strong points
And after
The Yankees continue their three-game series with the Red Sox on Saturday at Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
german doming will take the mound for the Yankees as he faces RHP Taylor Houck.