All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' loss to the Yankees, complete with BSJ analysis and insight
HEADLINES
Bullpen implodes: For much of the last few weeks, the Red Sox' bullpen has been a key component to the club's success. Heading into Saturday, over the previous 13 games, Red Sox relievers combined to post a 1.75 ERA -- the lowest in either league during that stretch -- as they allowed just 11 earned runs over a period of 56.2 innings. But that dominance ended at the worst possible time Saturday. With the Sox clinging to a 2-1 lead in the eighth, Tanner Houck, in for his second inning of work, issued two two-out walks. Alex Cora then summoned Darwinzon Hernandez to face lefty Anthony Rizzo, whom he hit. Hernandez then threw a fastball that could not have been more the heart of the plate if he tried and Giancarlo Stanton drove it over everything in left for a grand slam that not only erased the Yankees' deficit, but gave them a three-run lead. Part of the problem is, the Sox bullpen is currently without any structure, and favorable matchups are sometimes tough to produce. Of course, now that the Red Sox are facing a tougher opponent than the likes of the Orioles and Mets could have something to do with the outcome, too.
Let the boys be boys... SLAM. pic.twitter.com/rtdlOp23EU
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 25, 2021
Pivetta turns in a gem: The defeat wasted a terrific start from Nick Pivetta, who is among the most difficult pitchers to project from start-to-start. Last time out, Pivetta couldn't get out of the fourth inning and allowed three runs on seven hits. But he's also capable, at least occasionally, of shutting down a quality lineup, as he demonstrated again on Saturday. Pivetta gave the Sox 5.1 innings, allowing just one run on three hits while walking none and striking out seven. At one point, Pivetta retired 13 straight Yankee hitters. That's what happens when he commands his fastball and manages to consistently get ahead of hitters. The game marked the eighth time this season in which Pivetta pitched at least five full innings and allowed either one or no earned runs. He got the Sox into the sixth Saturday against a formidable lineup. But thanks to what transpired with the bullpen after he left.
Taylor sidelined: Alex Cora would have otherwise gone to Josh Taylor in the eighth inning with Anthony Rizzo, but Taylor was unavailable to due an issue with his back and is scheduled to undergo an MRI soon to determine the extent of the injury. That's a potentially costly injury as the Sox try to lineup up their bullpen for the final week of the season and beyond.
TURNING POINT
Tanner Houck got the first two hitters in the eighth inning and had a 1-and-2 count on Brett Gardner. But Gardner worked a walk, which opened the gates for a disastrous inning. Next came a walk to Aaron Judge -- who also had two strikes on him. From there, it unraveled further, as Hernandez plunked Rizzo and surrendered the go-ahead grand slam to Stanton. But with Gardner deep in the hole and hitting .222, it never should have gotten that far.
ONE UP
Kevin Plawecki: In addition to supplying a solo homer in the third and a fifth-inning single, he also did a nice job applying the tag on a play at the plate to cut down a potential run in the sixth inning.
TWO DOWN
J.D. Martinez: Though he hit the ball hard twice for outs, Martinez was hitless on the afternoon and stranded three runners.
Kike Hernandez: Hernandez, who had a five-game hitting streak coming into the game, was 0-for-5 and twice struck out with runners on base.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"We went with Darwinzon because we thought he could get the lefty and righty hitters. But we didn't throw enough strikes that inning.'' Alex Cora
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The loss was the ninth this season for the Red Sox in which they were leading after seven innings.
* The Sox haven't committed an error in their last seven games.
* Jose Iglesias extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an infield hit.
* Bobby Dalbec's homer in the ninth gave him 24 extra-base hits among his last 34 base hits.
* The Sox have hit 51 homers in their last 30 games.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox and Yankees conclude the series -- and their season series -- Sunday night at 7:10 p.m. with LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (11-8, 4,97) vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery (6-6, 3.55)