All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 5-0 loss to the Yankees, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Yanks dominate Sox all year: A year ago, the Red Sox went 10-9 head-to-head against the Yankees and finished eight games ahead of New York in the standings while wrapping up the AL East title for the third year in a row. But this year, it was a completely different story, with the Yanks dominating from April all the way through Monday night when they officially eliminated the Sox from the division title and went 14-5 in the 19 meetings between the rivals. Of the six series between the two clubs, the Sox won only one -- taking three of four in late July. Otherwise, the Yankees rolled, winning here, in New York, and, of course, in London. Alex Cora said the Yankees have improved when it comes to putting the ball in play more, cutting down on strikeouts and have upgraded defensively. "They're doing a lot of things better than last year,'' said Cora, "and we're not playing at the same level.''
Return of Ortiz lifts Fenway: About an hour before game-time, word began circulating that David Ortiz would be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Ortiz, who was critically injured in a shooting in his native Dominican Republic exactly three months ago and required a number of life-saving surgeries and weeks of hospitalization, jogged to the mound and waved to the adoring fans. Speaking to the crowd he thanked God for giving him a "second opportunity,'' then thanked the Red Sox organization and the fans for their support during his recovery process. "It's always good to see the big man,'' said Cora. "It's great for the fans to see him. I've always said that David is kind of like a rock star/baseball player. We could see that he's doing a lot better.'' Wearing his trademark No. 34 jersey, Ortiz zipped a pitch to former teammate Jason Varitek, then watched the game from the box seats adjacent to the home dugout.
Rodriguez pitches well in defeat: Lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez, attempting to take a step toward becoming a 20-game winner for the first time, fell short of win No. 18, but deserved better. Over six innings, he allowed just one run — an opposite-field homer to right by catcher Austin Romine in the fifth inning. He gave up just four other hits, walked one and fanned nine over six innings and 117 pitches, which represented a career-high. But because the Sox were shutout, he was on the hook for the loss. Even with the loss, Rodriguez has now set career highs in starts (30), wins (17), innings pitched (178.2) and strikeouts (177).
TURNING POINT
Rookie reliever Dawinzon Hernandez had racked up eight consecutive scoreless innings of late, but coming into a 1-0 game in the top of the seventh, the lefty flamed out. He was tagged for a solo homer by Gio Urshela. After a strikeout, he yielded a double to Romine, wild pitched him to third then gave up a run-scoring single before being lifted. In all, he was charged with three runs in one-third of an inning while a 1-0 deficit quickly grew to 4-0.
ONE UP
Jackie Bradley Jr.: Bradley made two fine catches in center and, at the plate, reached four base times with two singles, a double and a walk.
ONE DOWN
Gorkys Hernandez/Chris Owings: Brought up from Pawtucket to provide depth, the two journeymen are struggling mightily. Hernandez started in left and was 0-for-4 while Owings struck out in a pinch-hitting appearance. Together, they're a combined 1-for-26 since being promoted.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"They're still battling; it's just that the results are not there.'' - Cora on his team, which has lost four of its last five.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- The Sox finished with 33 homers against the Yankees, the most ever in a single season against New York.
- Over his last 23 games, Bradley Jr. is slugging .633 with a 1.017 OPS.
- Mookie Betts extended his on-base streak to 23 consecutive games.
- The shutout loss was the first for the Sox since July 21 at Baltimore.