Red Sox Bullpen Fails Again in 3-2 Loss to Yankees
NEW YORK – The Red Sox appeared to be on their way to clinching the American League East on the Yankee Stadium grass.
Then the bullpen door opened.
Neil Walker’s three-run home run off Ryan Brasier in the seventh inning propelled the Yankees to a comeback 3-2 win over the Sox. Brasier came on in relief of Brandon Workman, who had walked two men, and hung a 3-2 breaking ball to Walker.
The Red Sox have now blown 12 saves in 24 chances since the All-Star break.
The bullpen spoiled a strong performance by Nathan Eovaldi, who went six scoreless innings, allowed two hits, two walks, and struck out five.
Eovaldi has now thrown 14 scoreless innings in his two starts against New York in a Red Sox uniform this year.
The Red Sox saw a ninth inning rally fall short when Ian Kinsler grounded into a game-ending double play with the tying run at second base. The rally was made possible by a putrid defensive frame by the Yankees, who committed two errors on would-be double play balls to extend the inning.
The Red Sox will send David Price (15-6, 3.42 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday against Yankees right-hander Luis Severino (17-8, 3.46 ERA). Severino has struggled mightily in the second half, sporting a 6.35 ERA.
