All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 4-1 win over the Yankees, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
The Red Sox completed day/night doubleheader sweep of the Yankees, 4-1, in front of a sellout crowd of 36,787 fans. In the process, the Sox earned a three-game sweep of the Yankees and have moved within two games of the final wild-card spot in the standings.
This was the first doubleheader sweep of the Bronx Bombers since 2006. It was the first doubleheader sweep at Fenway Park since June 18, 2013 against the Rays.
Brayan Bello was the story as the righty tossed seven strong innings in front of a national audience. He gave up four hits, one earned run while walking three and striking out eight. Bello threw 102 pitches, 61 for strikes. The 24-year-old improved to 4-4 on the season and lowered his ERA to 3.49.
Brayan Bello, ladies and gentelmen. pic.twitter.com/eVxAkElq1c
— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 19, 2023
Bello has now thrown back-to-back seven-inning gems against the Yankees, both on national television. His 102nd and final pitch on the night was a nasty changeup to Yankees left fielder Jake Bauers, who struck out swinging to leave two runners on base.
TURNING POINT
The Sox took the lead in the fourth inning, following singles from Alex Verdugo and Rob Refsnyder, Triston Casas worked a walk to load the bases. Reese McGuire came to the plate and on the first pitch of the at-bat, the catcher fouled the ball into the left-field seats. He immediately began to point down to Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka, pleading to the umpire that he committed catcher’s interference. The home plate umpire agreed with McGuire and he was awarded first base allowing Verdugo to cross the plate. This was the third time this season that McGuire was involved in a catcher’s interference type situation.
TRISTON CASAS SMOKES A 2-RUN GROUND RULE DOUBLE INTO THE RF CORNER!
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) June 19, 2023
Red Sox up 4-1!pic.twitter.com/uOBEfuHt3W
The Sox weren’t done scoring, as the offense added two more runs in the fifth inning. After two walks and a single by Verdugo, Casas crushed a two-run ground-rule double into the right-field corner. Casas has put together strong at-bats over the last five games. He is 5-for-16 (.313) with two doubles and three RBI, he is also slugging .438 during that stretch.
This all comes on the heels of Alex Cora announcing that Casas would see less time at first base due to his defensive struggles this season.
“As good as he is with his hands and stuff, those numbers shouldn’t be that bad,” Red Sox bench coach Ramón Vázquez said earlier this week to reporters. “To be honest, I think there is some adjustment (needed). We need to sit down with him, and the work (itself) needs to change. He likes to work — it’s not lack of work — I think it’s just us figuring out, ‘This is what we need to do, and this is what you’re going to do.’”
UP
The Red Sox bullpen was another reason they swept the Yankees this weekend. Relievers haven’t allowed a run in 8 2/3 innings during the doubleheader.
Bello continues to show tremendous growth for the Sox. His eight strikeouts on Sunday night set a career-high in the game. He has also tossed six innings in four of his last five starts. Bello also had a successful pick-off attempt in the top of the fourth inning, firing over to first and Casas applied the tag to Yankees runner Josh Donaldson.
Triston Casas picks off JoshDonaldson to end the inning 🔥🔥#dirtywater #redsox #fenway pic.twitter.com/ZgPLEMwpck
— Darnell McDonald (@MacDime54) June 19, 2023
DOWN
Justin Turner who has been hot the last five games (.348) went 0-for-4 in the night cap with three strikeouts.
Refsnyder also struck out due to a pitch clock violation in the eighth inning. After not being set by the eight-second timer, the home plate umpire rung up Refsnyder.
NOTABLE
The Red Sox optioned Chris Murphy back to Triple-A Worcester following the first game of the day/night doubleheader. In two games with the Red Sox, the southpaw has tossed six scoreless frames only surrendering three hits and striking out eight batters.
Boston has now won four straight games, it’s their longest winning streak since May 16-20 (also a four-game winning streak). They’ve outscored opponents 31-11 during this current streak and are batting .338 (46-for-136) with 21 extra base hits.
SOX HEAD TO MINNESOTA
Monday: LHP James Paxton (2-1, 3.09 ERA) vs. RHP Pablo López (3-3, 4.27 ERA)
Tuesday: RHP Kutter Crawford (1-3, 4.20 ERA) vs. RHP Bailey Ober (4-3, 2.65 ERA)
Wednesday: RHP Garrett Whitlock (4-2, 4.38 ERA) vs. RHP Sonny Gray (4-1, 2.37 ERA)
Thursday: TBD vs. TBD