All you need to know, in quickie fashion, about the Red Sox' 5-1 loss to the Yankees complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Weber struggles again: Making his second start of the season, Ryan Weber lasted just 3.2 innings and while he only allowed three runs, he walked four and gave up two homers in his short outing. "It's frustrating,'' said Weber. "Throughout my entire career I've always thrown strikes and stayed ahead. I'm just trying to be too fine. I had four walks today and I've never four walks in my entire life. And obviously, the home runs have been hurting me. But it goes back to not attacking the strike zone, they get comfortable, I'm walking guys and then one bad pitch leads to a two-run homer and then I'm in the hole from there.'' Manager Ron Roenicke believes Weber isn't pitching with much confidence, and that's demonstrated by him nibbling. Still, Roenicke gave no indication that Weber's spot in the rotation was in any immediate danger, noting the Sox didn't have better alternatives.
Valdez a bright spot once more: One of the few pleasant surprises on the pitching staff has been the relief work of Phillips Valdez, who gave the Sox 2.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Valdez has a live arm and his stuff has good movement. In time, he could grow into a more significant role for the Sox. "He's pitching himself maybe into a bigger role,'' said Roenicke. "That's why we stuck with him today because he's throwing the ball well. He's doing a good job and hopefully, we continue to see that and maybe (soon) he is in a bigger role.'' That could take several forms. Valdez could either be someone who is utilized in the bulk role in the opener concept, or could be someone they lean on in high leverage spots in the late innings.
Baserunning errors pile up: Every game brings with it a mistake on the bases and Friday night, the Sox had a big one. With one run in, and runners at first and second with one out, J.D. Martinez hit a flyball to medium right field. Kevin Pillar was halfway between first and second and retreated to first too casually and was picked off by a snap throw from Aaron Judge in right. "Obviously, you can't make mistakes on the bases too often and we have,'' said Roenicke. "Pillar didn't realize (Judge) was throwing behind of him. You just have to be more aware and get back. If we're first-and-second and two outs, we're certainly a lot better off than being out of the inning. So, we need to do a better job of that.''
TURNING POINT
In the fourth inning, trailing 2-1, the Red Sox loaded the bases with one out. Up came Michael Chavis, who had homered the previous inning of starter Jordan Montgomery. But Chavis hit a sharp grounder to third baseman Gio Urshela to start a 5-4-3 double play, ending the threat. The Red Sox never again got a baserunner into scoring position.
ONE UP
Xander Bogaerts: In an otherwise punchless Red Sox lineup, Bogaerts was the only Boston hitter who collected more one hit, singling in the fourth and sixth before drawing a 12-pitch walk in the ninth inning.
ONE DOWN
J.D. Martinez: After a strong start in the first two games, Martinez is now just 2-for-23 since then with an 0-for-3 night Friday.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"Who do we have that we can say we're going to put in that's going to better than Ryan (Weber)?'' - Ron Roenicke.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Colten Brewer saw his string of four scoreless relief innings snapped when he allowed two in the eighth.
- The game marked only the fourth hitless appearance in the last 25 games at Yankee Stadium for J.D. Martinez
- The Sox have been outscored in the first two innings 13-2.