All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' loss to the Yankees, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Pattern continues: In each of their last three series -- the final two before the All-Star break and the first once since the break -- a familiar pattern has emerged: The Red Sox win the first game, drop the middle one, and then, with the series still there to be won, lose again. It happened in Anaheim, on the West Coast. It happened back at Fenway with the Phillies last weekend. And it just happened against New York, too. Those three opponents have something else in common other than roaring back and taking series in which they initially fell behind -- they were all right around .500 teams. These aren't great teams; in fact, they're thoroughly mediocre in the grand scheme of things. But the Sox have failed to finish them off. The problem isn't hard to find. It's all about the offense, or lack thereof. After scoring four runs in taking the series opener Friday, the Red Sox managed just two runs in the final 18 innings.
Bullpen blows up: As poor as the offensive output was, this game was just 3-0 leading into the bottom of the seventh, still very much within reach. But Darwinzon Hernandez and Brandon Workman combined to make sure that was no longer the case. They combined for five walks, with two from Workman in succession, both with the bases loaded, forcing in runs. Hernandez was brought in because the Yankees were starting the inning with two lefty hitters. But he allowed a leadoff single to Brett Gardner, followed by a two-run shot by Rougned Odor. After two walks by Hernandez, the Sox went to Workman, who got two quick outs, then completely lost the strike zone.
Arroyo likely leading to IL: Christian Arroyo has already visited the IL twice this year, and after Sunday night, it appeared as though a third visit was in the offing. Making his first professional start at first base, Arroyo went to stretch for a throw in the bottom of the second inning and suffered a strained left hamstring. He left the game immediately and was replaced by Bobby Dalbec. Every time Arroyo looks to be getting some traction and earning more playing time, an injury interrupts and takes him out of the mix. Arroyo had been getting more opportunities at second, but the arrival of Jarren Duran had the effect of shifting Kike Hernandez back to the infield and pushing Arroyo out of there. Attempting to get his bat in the lineup another way, the Sox went with first base. But the experiment lasted less than two innings.
TURNING POINT
As noted, the Red Sox recent struggles are rooted in their inability to produce with runners in scoring position and that was .. especially the case in the sixth inning. The Sox got a one-out single from J.D. Martinez and double to left from Xander Bogaerts, giving them two runners in scoring position and just one out. But Chad Green, replacing starter Jameson Taillon and fanned Rafael Devers and got Hunter Renfroe to ground out to third, stranding both.
ONE UP
Garrett Whitlock: The rookie righthander gave the Red Sox some needed length, giving the Sox two shutout innings, marking the 16th time he's had an appearance of more than an inning without allowing a run.
TWO DOWN
Alex Verdugo: A game removed from his confrontation with the fans in left, Verdugo was hitless in four at-bats, including three that ended in strikeouts.
Darwinzon Hernandez: Too often, the lefty isn't trustworthy in big spots as he struggles to command his stuff. Sunday night was a perfect example as he failed to retire any of the four hitters he faced in the seventh inning.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"We haven't hit. We haven't hit. We haven't hit since we went to the West Coast.'' Alex Cora on the team's recent 2-6 skid.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* Garrett Whitlock is unscored upon in 14 of his last 16 appearances.
* For the fourth time this season, Xander Bogaerts had a multiple doubles game. He leads the American League with 29 doubles.
* Hunter Renfroe has the only RBI for the Sox, singling home J.D. Martinez and snapping an 0-for-16 streak with runners in scoring position.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox move on to Buffalo, where they'll meet the Toronto Blue Jays in the first of three. It will be RHP Nick Pivetta (7-4, 4.30) vs. RHP Ross Stripling (3-5, 4.34) at 7:07 p.m.