Stagnant Offense For Sonny Gray As New York Gets Beat By Boston

After Sonny Gray's first win in pinstripes against the Mets in the subway series where New York gave Sonny Gray run support it was the complete opposite Sunday in the finale against Boston at Fenway Park.  

For the second-straight weekend, the Red Sox were successful in their quest of preventing the Yankees from making a dent in the American League East standings. Backed by a pair of two-out RBI hits by Jackie Bradley Jr. and a strong pitching performance from the resurgent Rick Porcello, Boston once again took two out of three from New York, opening up afive-game lead in the division with a 5-1 victory on Sunday at Fenway Park. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

In less than two weeks, the rivals will meet again for their final series of the regular season, a four-game set that starts in the Bronx on Aug. 31. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

Porcello won his fourth straight start, holding the Yankees to three hits and a run over six innings. The only damaging hit against the righty was a solo homer by Brett Gardner in the fifth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

Losing pitcher Sonny Gray minimized the damage over his five-inning performance, allowing seven hits and two runs while throwing 106 pitches. It was the first time in Gray's 116 career starts that he didn't register a strikeout. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

Bradley gave the Red Sox a 2-0 lead with a two-run triple, and extended the lead back to two runs with an RBI single in the sixth. It was a tight game for most of the afternoon, but Sandy Leon created breathing room for Boston by mashing a two-run double to right in the bottom of the eighth. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

Porcello was able to pitch with a lead for most of his start thanks to Bradley, who smashed a key two-out, two-run triple to right-center to snap a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second. Bradley unloaded on Gray's 2-0 fastball for a gapper that had an exit velocity of 109.2 mph. It was Bradley's third triple of the season. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

The only time Porcello seemed in real danger was the top of the fourth when he issued back-to-back one-out walks to Gary Sanchez and Chase Headley. Pitching coach Carl Willis came to the mound to visit, and Porcello got the job done immediately after, inducing Todd Frazier into a popup and striking out Tyler Austin. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

When it was still a close game at 3-1, Gardner tried to jump-start a rally for the Yankees with a hard grounder to lead off the eighth. But second baseman Brock Holt ranged far to his left on the grass for a diving stop, and fired to first baseman Mitch Moreland, who made a nice pick himself to complete the out. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/249435300/red-sox-beat-yankees-for-5-game-lead-in-east/

With the loss, New York drops to 66-57 and is five games back in second place while Boston who is leading the American League East improves to 71-52 on the season.

New York has an off day Monday before heading to Detroit Tuesday for a three game  Right -hander Masahiro Tanaka who has a record of 8-10 with a 4.92 earn run average will start the opener. Tanaka is set to come off the disabled list Tuesday after a brief rest for right shoulder inflammation. He lasted just four innings in an August 9th start at Toronto, permitting three runs (two earned). Tanaka won his only career start at Comerica Park. He will go up against Detroit left-hander Matthew Boyd who has a record of 5-6 with a 5.70 earn run average. Boyd battled through two early home runs to last 5 2/3 innings against the Twins Sunday. The home run ball isn't his usual nemesis, as he'd only allowed three in his previous seven games. "according to  https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-tigers/2017/08/22/491974#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491974

First-pitch is set for 7:10 pm. The game will be televised on Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/yankees-vs-tigers/2017/08/22/491974#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491974