However bad it's been for the Red Sox this season, they could also boast that they hadn't been shutout.
That distinction is now gone, too.
The New York Yankees pasted the Sox 8-0 for their 10th straight win overall and ninth in nine tries against the Red Sox this season. With a win Sunday in the series finale for the two clubs, the Yankees can sweep the season series from the Red Sox for the first time.
The Yankees got all the runs they needed in the top of the first, with two off starter Chris Mazza. Clint Frazier had three hits and knocked in three runs. The Yanks also added two unearned runs.
Boston managed just five hits all night, three of them singles.
WHO: Red Sox (19-33) vs. New York Yankees (30-21)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
SEASON SERIES: NY 8-0
SERIES TO DATE: NY 1-0
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Chris Mazza (1-1, 5.57) vs. LHP J.A. Happ (1-2, 3.96)
TV/RADIO: NESN; WEEI 93.7 FM
LINEUPS
RED SOX
Arroyo 2B
Devers 3B
Bogaerts SS
Martinez DH
Plawecki C
Bradley CF
Dalbec 1B
Chavis LF
Puello RF
YANKEES
LeMahieu 2B
Judge RF
Gardiner CF
Voit 1B
Urshela 3B
Frazier LF
Tauchman RF
Higashoika C
Wade SS
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
B8th: Poor baserunning by Bobby Dalbec. With no outs and down by seven, he tried to advance from second to third on a ball hit right in front of him, to SS. Called out initially, overturned by replay challenge. Should have been out on principle.
T7th: Strong outing from Domingo Tapia, who is not, as they say, a comfortable at-bat. And when he commands his stuff, he can be almost impossible to hit.
B5th: On Friday night, the Red Sox had a bunch of baserunners and opportunities; they just couldn't produce a hit when necessary (3-for-22 with RISP). Tonight, they can't get runners on base - just two through the first five innings.
T5th: Dylan Covey leaves a sinker up to Clint Frazier and pays dearly for it as Frazier hits out the other way, into the bullpen, for a two-run homer.
T5th: Michael Chavis falls prey to the infamous ''garage door'' in left as a liner by Luke Voit into the left field corner hits the frame and kicks away from him, allowing Brett Gardner to score all the way from first base,
T5th: That's it for Chris Mazza, who goes four innings and allows four runs -- two unearned. For the second time against the Yankees, had some tough luck and didn't get plays made behind him.
T4th: Errors on consecutive plays by Xander Bogaerts - the first, a flub on a relatively routine grounder; the second, a wild throw to first -- and the Yankees have doubled their lead here to 4-0.
T3rd: Brett Gardner seemed determined to make an out on the bases in that inning. He was initially called out trying to stretch a single into a hustle double, but replay overturned. Then, on the very next pitch, Gardner tried to advance from second to third on a flyout to right....and was out there.
B2nd: Dalbec just gets underneath one, hammering a ball to deep center to the warning track.
T2nd: Kevin Plawecki hasn't had a lot of success throwing out baserunners this season (had been just 2-for-13), but he cuts down Tyler Wade trying to take second.
T1st: Inexperience at first plays a role for Bobby Dalbec, who cut a strong throw to the plate from Cesar Puello. Looked to be a close play at the plate as D.J. LeMahieu tagged from third, but Dalbec didn't let the ball get through to the plate.
PRE-GAME NOTES:
- The Red Sox placed OF/IF Yairo Munoz on the IL with back spasms and announced that his season was over. Munoz came out of the game the other day in Miami. complaining of the back issue and wasn't available Friday night. "We didn't think it would be (only) a couple of more days,'' said Ron Roenicke. "He was still sore this morning when (head trainer Brad Pearson) called him and talk to him. It's just a shame right now. He was doing everything -- running the bases well, driving the ball, putting in play, doing a good job in the outfield. It looks like he has good instincts. It's too bad for him.''
- To take Munoz's spot on the roster, the Red Sox recalled OF Cesar Puello from the alternate training site.
- To make room for Puello on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox transferred Zack Godley to the 45-day IL.
- OF Alex Verdugo was out of the lineup, nursing a tight left hamstring. He came out of Friday's left hamstring. "He still feels it some,'' said Roenicke. "We'll see (Sunday). We'll be cautious and just see how he comes out of (treatment) today and see what the medical staff says.''
- Rookie RHP Tanner Houck will get a step up in competition when he faces the Yankees Sunday in his second big league start. "We hope he gets through innings and keeps us in the ballgame,'' said Roenicke. The Yankees hit 20 homers in the previous four games before Saturday. "All confidence going into it,'' said Houck. "I know what I have in my skill set, so it's just about executing pitches and doing what I've done for years now. For me nothing really changes. As long as you go out there and attack the zone, I think good things happen. If you go right at people, get them on their heels early, it sets up a lot more. If I go out there and attack right away, then I'll definitely feel more confident.''