Coolbaugh: Newly-minted All-Star Devers, red-hot Rafaela slug Red Sox to another series win over Yankees taken at BSJ Headquarters (Red Sox)

(Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

Jul 7, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) reacts after his solo home run during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

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Coolbaugh: Newly-minted All-Star Devers, red-hot Rafaela slug Red Sox to another series win over Yankees

By Gethin Coolbaugh

Jul 7, 2024 • 11:51 pm

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Three things are inevitable in life.

Death, taxes, and Rafael Devers imposing his will on the New York Yankees… 

The newly-minted three-time All-Star had himself a game on Sunday night, demolishing nearly 800 feet of homers to key the Red Sox to a 3-0 victory over the Yankees — and a big three-game series victory in the Bronx. 

“We know what type of ballpark this is,” Devers told reporters postgame through a team interpreter. “(Yankee Stadium) is one of the best in the league. Everything feels better than any other ballpark.”

Devers’ first blast in the seventh sailed 373 feet way over the head of old friend Alex Verdugo in left to put Boston up 1-0. His second, a 423-foot blast to center — and 423 feet is approximately how far Devers had to reach to get a hold of that pitch — capped Boston’s scoring in the ninth.

They were Devers’ 20th and 21st homers of the season, his 15th and 16th at Yankee Stadium, and his 27th and 28th career versus New York. 

“We dig into (why he’s so good against us) a lot, believe me,” Yankees skipper Aaron Boone said. “But yeah, sometimes that’s time and place too in a season, a guy comes in swinging well. He’s a great player.” 

Oh, and just for good measure, Devers threw in a web gem to remind everyone he’s not just a one-tool player…

Sandwiched in between Devers’ homers was another long ball for Ceddanne Rafaela, who is on a little heater at the plate himself. Rafaela’s solo homer to left in the ninth was his second in three days, his third in July and produced his ninth RBI of the month. 

Not to be outshined by the Raffy boys’ bats was a stellar outing for starter Kutter Crawford, who matched a season and career-high with seven innings pitched. The 28-year-old righty turned in his fifth consecutive start allowing three or fewer earned runs, holdings the Yanks scoreless on four hits with four strikeouts. 

“That’s probably the most efficient I’ve ever been,” Crawford told reporters after throwing 68 pitches, 54 for strikes, while walking none. 

The win secured a second series victory over the Yankees in as many meetings, improving Boston’s record against their bitter rivals to 4-2 this season. It also marked New York’s 15th loss in 20 games as the Yanks sit three games behind AL East-leading Baltimore…

What’s it all mean? Well, for one, the Sox aren’t intimidated by the Yankees. Not many teams are right now, but it’s always nice to play well against your chief rivals and establish a mental edge with seven games still to play in the season series. 

Boston’s victory kept them a game and a half clear of Kansas City for the third AL wild card spot, and wouldn’t you know it, the Sox wrap up their first half schedule with three against the Royals next weekend. 

Not sure I’ve ever looked forward to a Red Sox-Royals series before, but here we are… 

Before that, it’ll be three against the woeful Athletics. Boston should be able to feast against this A’s team, although they had been playing some of their best ball of the season in winning four of five before dropping Sunday’s rubber match against the O’s.

Even though Boston swept them earlier in the season, call it two wins against the A’s for good measure, and if you can add two more against the Royals, the Sox would be holding steady at the break with a 53-42 record.

Texas Three-Step 

Devers won’t be the only Sox player headed to Arlington in a week. 

While it’s old hat by now for Devers, who is “super happy to be back in the All-Star Game,” both Jarren Duran and Tanner Houck will be heading to the All-Star Game for the first time in their careers as reserves for the American League announced prior to Sunday’s game. 

“I was very nervous the last few days,” Alex Cora said once the news broke before the game. “When I got the news this morning, I showed up late to the ballpark because I didn’t want people to see me so happy.” 

Both are no doubt deserving, as Duran has been nothing short of a powder keg at the top of the lineup this season with a league-leading 10 triples and 24 doubles, tied for fifth in MLB. Not to mention his 21 steals, which are tied for seventh-most in the league…

“I don’t really know how to put it into words right now,” Duran told reporters. “I’m just very thankful right now.” 

Houck, meanwhile, has proven to be Boston’s ace while logging a team (and career) best 111 innings. He’s 7-6 with a 2.68 ERA, which is seventh-best in the bigs — and a shade better than fellow All-Star Chris Sale’s 2.71 ERA, I might add — and 106 strikeouts. 

“No words,” Houck said. “Just feel blessed and incredibly grateful for this moment.”

As mentioned in my Sunday notebook, it’s been a thrill to watch Duran’s transformation from Boston sports pariah to a player Sox fans want to rally around. And Houck’s hard work paying off now in his fifth season after struggling to lock down a definitive role is certainly worthy of celebration, too. 

Boston certainly wouldn’t be sitting at a season-high-tying nine games above .500 without them…

Gethin Coolbaugh is a columnist for Boston Sports Journal. Follow him @GethinCoolbaugh on X/Twitter. 

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