By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Red Sox could not finish off the sweep against the New York Yankees on Sunday night. Instead, starter Chris Sale faltered and the bullpen couldn’t hold up in a 9-6 clunker at Fenway Park.
Sale labored through 5.1 innings, allowing six runs on five hits and an uncommonly high three walks. He allowed two two-run home runs in back-to-back innings when Austin Romine and Didi Gregorius went deep in the third and fourth innings respectively.
The lefty fell to a shocking 5-10 on the season with the loss, a disappointing step backward after two straight dominant outings against the Blue Jays and Rays. Sale is now 2-2 with a 5.32 ERA in four starts since the All-Star break.
Reliever Darwinzen Hernandez allowed a pair unearned runs after Jackie Bradley’s throwing error from center field turned a simple sacrifice fly into a two-run play, giving the Yankees the insurance runs they ultimately needed.
Andrew Benintendi plated two in the ninth inning with an RBI single, adding to a two-run home run to give him a 4-RBI night. But the damage had been done as the Yankees held on to salvage the series. The Red Sox picked up two games on the Yankees over the weekend, but remain nine games back in the American League East.
Up Next: The Red Sox get a day off Monday before their crucial stretch continues on Tuesday at Fenway, when they kick off a three-game set against the Rays. David Price (7-4, 3.66) opposes Charlie Morton (12-3, 2.60) in a big pitching matchup to start things off.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.