New York Sweeps Boston In The Finale In London
After winning the opening game in London New York then swept their American League East rival in the finale.
After nine hours and six minutes of baseball on the artificial turf of London Stadium this weekend, the Yankees offered some advice for the next inhabitants of their makeshift clubhouse, which will await the arrival of the Cardinals and Cubs next June for another installment of the London Series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
See the sights, hydrate well, then prepare for lots and lots of offense. The fireworks were mostly kept under wraps on Sunday until the Yankees erupted for their biggest frame of the season in the seventh inning, scoring nine runs to power a 12-8 victory over the Red Sox that completed a sweep of the inaugural two-game set. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
"They are a good team. I think we’re better, but they are a good team," DJ LeMahieu said of the Red Sox. "We still have half the season left, too. We just need to keep it going and we’ll be fine." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
Though sun glare, white seats and speedy turf remained topics of discussion, the Yankees largely came away with positive impressions of the trip after playing the first two Major League games on European soil. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
The rivals combined for 50 runs and 65 hits in the favorable hitting environment, which resulted in New York opening up a seven-game lead over the second-place Rays in the American League East. The defending World Series champions are 11 games back.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
"Even these two games we won, it’s just heavy," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I'm exhausted because they keep coming at you. We’ve had some success against them to this point. I just think there is a long way to go, and any time you can create a little bit of distance with a team that you know is as capable as them, it gets you a little excited." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
Boston struck early, with Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez and Christian Vázquez slugging first-inning homers off opener Stephen Tarpley. Luis Cessa cooled things off with four terrific innings of relief, keeping the Yanks in the contest and allowing them to rally for their 13th win in 14 games while improving to a season-high 26 games over .500. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
"If we played 81 games here, it'd be a lot of fun," Aaron Judge said. "We enjoyed it out here. We came in and did what we wanted to do, get a couple of wins and put on a show for the fans." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
Limited to two runs over 5 1/3 innings by Eduardo Rodriguez, the Yankees broke through against Boston’s bullpen in the seventh, sending 14 men to home plate. Facing Marcus Walden, LeMahieu doubled to extend his hitting streak to 14 games, Judge walked and Aaron Hicks doubled home a run before Gary Sánchez lashed a go-ahead two-run single into left field.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
Rodriguez was really nibbling and didn't miss a spot, but then we were able to get a couple of pitches that were over the heart of the plate," Judge said. "We didn't miss those pitches and were able to do some damage, especially do some damage with guys on base. We've done pretty well all year. That was great hitting, starting with DJ. Three hits, it's nothing new." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
Gio Urshela ripped a two-run single, LeMahieu drove in another two runs with his second double of the inning and Hicks lifted a sacrifice fly. An error by first baseman Michael Chavis allowed the ninth run to score, drawing a raucous reaction from the pro-offense crowd of 59,059 fans. Boston closed the gap with four runs in the eighth, charged to Chance Adams.
"No matter who we had in the game pitching, the lead didn’t feel very safe," LeMahieu said. "I don’t know what it was. They were just crazy games like that. Our pitchers honestly did a really good job. For the circumstances, they did a really good job."“according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
For all the discussion about London Stadium's homer-friendly dimensions, New York put its first 11 runs on the board without the benefit of slugging a ball into the seats. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
The Yankees were kept in the yard until the eighth, when Didi Gregorius extended their Major League record streak of consecutive games with a home run to 31. Additionally, the Yankees have not been shut out in 164 games, the longest such stretch since the 2000-01 Cincinnati Reds.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
"I didn't even know it happened until Didi hit his, and you saw it flash up on the board that we just broke our own record," Judge said. "We weren't even worried about that. We were just worried about scoring runs and coming away with two wins here." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
The Yankees were instructed to stay awake throughout their flight back to New York, which will provide plenty of time to reflect on the week that was. Even after a clubhouse visit from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and an MLB-sponsored soiree at the Tower of London, several of the players said they will remember the passionate crowds and the two victories most of all. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
"We know they were long games. It was like a fight every inning," Gleyber Torres said. "But I think that series in London was amazing. I think we put on a really good show, and we won. That makes it so much better." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-beat-red-sox-to-sweep-london-series
With the sweep New York improves to 54-28 on the season.
For the second straight time Boston was on the other end of the spectrum in London as they not only lost but were swept by their American League East rival.
Another comfortable lead proved not to be comfortable enough for the Red Sox’s beleaguered bullpen, which had a meltdown of epic proportions in the seventh inning that led to a 12-8 defeat to the Yankees in the finale of the inaugural two-game London Series. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
By losing both games here -- and giving up a total of 29 runs in the process -- the defending World Series champions trail their rivals by a whopping 11 games in the American League East. New York has taken six of the first seven head-to-head matchups this season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
The reality of the situation was staring Red Sox manager Alex Cora in the face for two days. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
“It wasn’t a good weekend on the field,” said Cora. “That’s a good offensive team, we know that. They’re a lot better than last year. The attention to detail is phenomenal. Throughout the evening, I was looking and I saw it, and right now they’re a lot better than us, so we need to get better.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
Though Cora chose not to pinpoint one area of his team that needs to improve, it is blatantly obvious that the bullpen has become the biggest weakness. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
Since June 18, the Sox have a 6.80 ERA in the ‘pen, which is among the worst marks in the Majors during that span. Prior to that date, they had a 3.97 ERA. For the season, Boston’s bullpen ERA is 4.37. That’s on pace to be among the worst ERAs a Red Sox bullpen has had in the 51 seasons they’ve played since saves became official in 1969. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
“It’s tough, especially with some of our guys that were throwing the ball really good for the first 78-79 games,” said righty Marcus Walden, who started the seventh and didn’t retire any of the four batters he faced. “It’s just, I don’t think guys are pressing, they’re just missing location. There are scouting reports out. It’s not a hidden secret what we’re doing. Being able to change our approach and go back after it [is key].” “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
A three-homer barrage by Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez and Christian Vázquez gave the Sox a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Eduardo Rodriguez threw 115 pitches in 5 1/3 innings, but at least kept his team in the game a day after Rick Porcello recorded just one out.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
Leading 4-2 after six innings, Boston relievers Walden, Matt Barnes and Josh Taylor were tagged for nine runs in the top of the seventh. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
After winning the World Series last season, the Sox opted not to re-sign closer Craig Kimbrel, and instead invested their offseason spending allocation on Nathan Eovaldi and Steve Pearce, both of whom remain on the injured list. Cora was comfortable going with a closer-by-committee approach, but the plan hasn’t even come close to working of late. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
Of the 34 save opportunities they’ve had this season, the Sox have converted just 17. Barnes, who was supposed to be the team’s best reliever, had a 9.69 ERA in his 15 outings in June. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
Cora vowed to brainstorm for solutions between London and Toronto, where the club will resume play on Tuesday.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
“It’s the nature of the 162 games and the game that we play,” said Cora. “We’ll get it right. Honestly, tomorrow is supposed to be an off-day, it’s not going to be an off-day for me. There are going to be a lot of people working on this and trying to figure out what is going on.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
“Some of it is execution. Some of it is detail. It’s not a lack of paying attention to it. But people [on the other team] pay attention, too. They take advantage of situations, and I feel the last two days they did an outstanding job doing everything right. As you guys know, I’m a guy who pays attention to details and I take pride in that. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
“They were better at what we do this weekend. But we’ll figure it out, trust me. We’re going to work on it. We’re going to clean it up, and hopefully when we play them again, it’s closer and we clean everything up.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
The next Red Sox-Yankees meeting is July 25, when the sides open a four-game series at Fenway Park. Between now and then, the Sox will try to get their house in order and put themselves in position for a playoff push. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
“They’re playing great and they’re doing everything right. We haven’t been consistent in our game,” said Cora. “We know we can be better. We know we have a great team, but we need to stop talking about it and we need to start doing it. It’s 11 games [back] and there is no hiding. We know where we’re at. We need to finish the first part of the season playing well and then take advantage of the All-Star break, and then go out the Friday after that.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
Down 12-4, the Sox brought some excitement back to the game by scoring four runs in the bottom of the eighth. They even brought the tying run to the plate, but Rafael Devers grounded out against Zack Britton with the bases loaded to end the inning.”according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
The damage inflicted by the bullpen was too much to overcome, even for a Boston offense that surged in the two days in London, scoring 21 runs. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
I mean, to put up the runs in general is hard to do,” said Bogaerts. “I think we put up two of the best games offensive-wise that we had this year. I mean, especially back to back. And to not win, I think that’s really rough. I think if you ask anyone, if you put up close to double-digit numbers in back-to-back games, you should probably win at least one. That wasn’t the case.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
The 108-win Red Sox of a year ago are nowhere to be found these days. There have been a couple of mini surges, but they’ve been unsustainable for a team that is just four games above .500 at 44-40. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
Still, Cora says it’s not time for the Red Sox to re-evaluate their realistic goals for 2019. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
“We can win the World Series,” said Cora. “We just need to play better. We need to get better in every aspect. We can talk about the bullpen or we can talk about the outfielders or we can talk about the defense or baserunning. “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
“We have the talent to win the World Series but we have to play better. I’ve been saying it since Day One. It better happen sooner rather than later. It’s not that we’re running out of time, but the lead [for the Yankees] is huge. It’s a huge lead, and there are other teams around us that are playing good baseball. They’re trending up, and we’re not doing that.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/red-sox-blow-lead-lose-to-yanks-in-london
With the loss in the finale in London Boston drops to 44-40 on the season and is eleven games back of New York who is leading the American League East.
New York will have an off day Monday before traveling to Queens New York to face the Mets for two games starting Tuesday.