Final: Yankees 4, Red Sox 3 - Whitlock gives up game-winning hit in 8th to Austin Wells, Yankees force game three

The New York Yankees split up the wildcard against the Red Sox with a 4-3 victory.

Tonight's game went down to the wire, as both teams had prime opportunities to turn the lead in their favor. However, New York came through with a late-inning hit to get them the win.

Brayan Bello started the game for Boston and put the Red Sox at an early 2-0 deficit . After getting the first two outs of the first inning, Bello gave up a two-run home run to Ben Rice on a first-pitch cutter.

Boston didn't get a runner on base through the first two innings of the game, but they finally got on the board in the third inning against Carlos Rodon. With no outs and two runners on base, Nick Sogard dropped a bunt by Rodon, and the lefty couldn't field it on time which loaded the bases for the Red Sox. Trevor Story came up to bat with one out, and he drove home two runners to tie the game 2-2.

In the bottom half of the same inning, Bello allowed two base hits to Ryan McMahon and Aaron Judge, and Alex Cora decided to take out his starter after only 2.1 innings.  Justin Wilson was the first reliever to come out of the bullpen, and he left two runners on base to end the inning.

After a 1-2-3 fourth inning for Wilson, Justin Slaten took over on the mound. Slaten got through the first two batters of the inning, but a walk and a misplay from Jarren Duran in left field gave New York the lead.

New York's lead didn't last long. In the first at-bat of the sixth inning, Story tied the game again with a solo shot to left field putting the game at 3-3.

Steven Matz completed the fifth inning after Slaten's earned run, but he faced trouble in the sixth inning putting two runners on base. The Red Sox turned to Zack Kelly to make the final out of the inning, and he struck out Anthony Volpe to bring the game into the seventh inning.

Rodon returned to the mound for the seventh inning, but after giving up a four-pitch walk and hitting Duran with a pitch, Aaron Boone took out his starter and brought in Fernando Cruz.

With no outs and two runners on base, Ceddanne Rafaela dropped a bunt that was easily caught by Cruz, squandering a prime opportunity for the Red Sox to put runners in scoring position. 

Masataka Yoshida extended the inning by beating out a play at second base by Jazz Chisholm Jr., and the bases were loaded for Boston. In his second opportunity with the bases loaded, Story couldn't put Boston in front, sending a deep fly ball to center field to leave the Red Sox with no runs.

Garrett Whitlock pitched a shutout inning in the seventh, and Cora elected to pitch him for another inning. Whitlock recorded two consecutive outs to start the eighth inning, but he allowed a walk to Chisholm that extend the inning. Austin Wells came up to bat for New York, and he drove in the game-winning run with a base hit down the right field line.

The Yankees brought in David Bednar to close out the game, and the Red Sox went 1-2-3 at the plate.

Simply put, the Red Sox made more mistakes in this game than the Yankees. Boston couldn't keep unnecessary runners off the base paths, and the Yankees took advantage. Every run scored by New York came when they had two outs.

With an early exit from Bello, the Red Sox had to stretch their bullpen the best they could. Cora electing to pitch Whitlock an extra inning was a controversial move, and that decision became costly for the Red Sox.

Tomorrow, the Red Sox and Yankees will finish their series in a do-or-die game three. Conelly Early gets the start for Boston, and first pitch will be at 6:08 p.m.

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WHO: Red Sox (1-0) vs Yankees (0-1)
WHEN: 6:08 p.m.
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, New York
SERIES TO DATE: (10-4), (1-0)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Brayan Bello (11-9, 3.35) vs. LHP Carlos Rodón (18-9, 3.09)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Rob Refsnyder (R) DH
Trevor Story (R) SS
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Romy Gonzalez (R) 1B
Carlos Narváez (R) C
Nate Eaton (R) RF
Jarren Duran (L) LF
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
Nick Sogard (S) 2B

SP Brayan Bello

YANKEES

Trent Grisham (L) CF
Aaron Judge (R) RF
Cody Bellinger (L) LF
Ben Rice (L) 1B
Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 2B
Austin Wells (L) C
Anthony Volpe (R) SS
Ryan McMahon (L) 3B

SP Carlos Rodon

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox look to advance to the ALDS with a win today. Brayan Bello gets the start against Carlos Rodon.

The Sox began their 2025 Postseason last night with a 3-1 win in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium.

Garrett Crochet allowed just 1 run in 7.2 IP, with 11 SO and 0 BB in his 1st career Postseason start.

Aroldis Chapman also recorded his 11th career Postseason save, tied for 6th most all-time.

Carlos Narváez will catch for Brayan Bello for the first time this season. Connor Wong has been Bello's personal catcher this entire season.