All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' loss to the Yankees, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Sale injured again: As bad as the loss -- and lopsided nature of the score -- was, the low point was a line drive off the bat of Aaron Hicks in the first inning which caught Chris Sale's left pinkie, resulting in a fracture. The ball was hit hard enough that the carom off the finger carried the ball into right field, even as Sale got to his feet and sprinted for the dugout, telling Alex Cora, prophetically, "it's broken, it's broken.'' Sale had, of course, just returned Tuesday after missing the first three months of the season with a broken rib, suffered in late February. Sale didn't pitch at all in 2020, made just nine appearances in 2021, and with one start and one inning this year, could be done again. Sale is set to see a hand specialist either tonight or Monday morning to get further clarification.
Bullpen throttled: As demoralizing as the Sale injury was for the Red Sox, they trailed by just a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. But that would soon change. The combination of Ryan Brasier and Jake Diekman lit the match, allowing a staggering eight runs in the inning as the Yankees sent a dozen players to the plate. Brasier's ERA is at 5.40 while Diekman's is at 4.54, but even those bloated numbers don't convey the whole picture, since in both cases it doesn't reflect the the number of baserunners they inherit who come around to score. When the staff is fully healthy and there are other options available, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Brasier either optioned again, or perhaps designated for assignment. But things are more complicated with Diekman, who signed a two-year deal with the Sox back in March and is one the books for $3.5 million in 2023, to say nothing of a $4 million club option in 2024 with a $1 million buyout.
Lineup limited: Before Sunday's game, the final one of the first half, Cora was asked to sum up the season to date for the Sox and he said: "I'll put it in one word: inconsistency. We've been very inconsistent offensively.'' As if to prove the point, the Red Sox were quieted again, managing just six hits all day -- four in the first eight innings. Gerrit Cole toyed with them, limiting them to two runs over the first seven innings while fanning a dozen hitters. In his seven innings, the Sox sent the minimum three hitters to the plate five times, with four of the innings ending in 1-2-3 fashion. In the last week, the Red Sox were limited to either one or two runs in four of their last seven games. It would seem inconceivable that a lineup with the likes of Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez could be so ineffectual, but here we are. Even Devers, who has six career homers against Cole, failed to do anything against Cole, striking out twice in three at-bats.
TURNING POINT
Usually, games have turning point. But in some ways, the liner off the bat of Aaron Hicks in the first inning that clipped Sale's left pinkie finger on its way to the outfield could serve as a turning point in the season. Sale through his hands up in self-defense and after being struck, fell to the ground before immediately getting to his feet and sprinting for the dugout. It was clear he wasn't coming back for the day, and in reality, the Red Sox would be lucky to have him back at all before the season ends. That could, in turn, change the approach taken by Chaim Bloom at the deadline, which is now just over two weeks away.
TWO UP
Jeter Downs: Downs, who had his first big league hit Friday night at the Stadium, Sunday added his first major league homers, too -- a two-run shot in the third to account for the only two runs of the afternoon for the Sox.
Garrett Whitlock: By the time Whitlock entered the game, things were already out of control, but Whitlock was the most (only?) effective pitcher of the afternoon, retiring the Yankees in order in the sixth and striking out two of the three hitters he faced.
TWO DOWN
Jarren Duran: Duran was 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, while also failing to make a sliding catch in the fourth inning.
Ryan Brasier/Jake Diekman: The two veteran relievers combined to allow seven hits, three walks and eight runs.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"No pain. Zero pain. Anger, frustration, rage first. I hit the ground. I didn't even think about my broken finger. I hit the ground. I see my finger under my finger and I go, 'Here goes more time.' That was the first thing that went through my mind.'' Chris Sale, after being struck by a line drive on his left hand.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The Red Sox are 4-10 since July 4.
* Franchy Cordero has struck out 15 times in his last 16 at-bats.
* The Red Sox used a season-high nine pitchers.
* Jackie Bradley Jr. snapped an 0-for-14 skid with a single to center in the third inning.
UP NEXT: The Red Sox are, mercifully, off until Friday thanks to the All-Star break. They'll host Toronto in the first of three Friday night at Fenway at 7:10 p.m.