Red Sox Miss Key Opportunities in Loss to Yankees, Devers Urges Team to Keep Fighting…

The Boston Red Sox entered their series against the New York Yankees hoping to gain ground in the American League standings, but the Yankees made it harder for their rivals. Despite solid pitching from starter Cooper Criswell and a bullpen that held New York to one run through nine innings, Boston’s offense struggled. The Red Sox managed just four hits, went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position, and struck out 14 times, with the top of their order (Jarren Duran, Rafael Devers, and Romy González) going 0-for-12 with five strikeouts.

Boston’s lack of offense wasted a strong pitching effort and dealt a blow to their wild card hopes, though the season isn’t over. After a deflating 2-1 extra-inning loss on Thursday, Rafael Devers urged the team to stay positive. “You have to keep playing, stay positive, and anything can happen,” Devers said through a translator, according to MLB.com’s Ian Browne.

The Red Sox missed opportunities to put pressure on the Yankees, including a potentially game-changing rally in the seventh inning that was squashed by a double play. With only 15 games left in the season, Boston’s chances of making the playoffs are slim, but they aren’t out of the race yet. Immediate urgency is critical for the team to turn things around.

Reliever Josh Winckowski took the loss after giving up the game-winning hit in the 10th inning. Danny Jansen provided Boston’s only run with a solo home run in the fifth inning, his ninth of the season. Boston is now 5-4 against the Yankees this year and sits 4.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the final wild card spot. The Red Sox have six more divisional games before returning home to face the Twins. The series continues Friday night at Yankee Stadium.