You have a great start, you have a crap start. That’s the roller coaster Dustin May has been riding on at the moment, and what an ugly one it was at Yankee Stadium. The Red Sox trade deadline acquisition had a rough go of it on the bump with three dingers given up. Trent Grisham had May’s number all day.
This is how the Yankees win, they rely on the long ball to take them to victory. The Red Sox limited them a bunch in the first three games of the series, but couldn’t hang on for the fourth one. The offense
fell immensely flat aside from Nathaniel Lowe, as Carlos Rodón absolutely carved up this Sox lineup. It wasn’t the strikeouts that got the Sox today, it was ground ball after ground ball. Even with five walks by Rodón, two double plays wiped them out and they left seven on base total.
Oh well. It would have been the cherry on top of a great series but they should still fly into Baltimore with their heads held high knowing they did some important things between Thursday and Sunday nights.
Three Studs
Nathaniel Lowe (2-for-2, 2 RBIs)
What a masterclass of a post deadline deal addition in Nathaniel Lowe. He’s done nothing but be productive and be steady at first base. How he isn’t playing every day is beyond me.
Ceddanne Rafaela (1-for-4, 1 K)
Ceddanne only had one hit but to do the in-game interviews for Sunday Night Baseball as an infielder are so tough because you could be called on at any instant and he made an incredible leaping catch while mic’d up, lost the ear piece and STILL managed to find it and jump back on. That might be more impressive than the Red Sox offense tonight.
Brennan Bernardino (1.1 IP, 2 Ks)
When the going gets tough, a healthy and relaxed Brennan Bernardino knew how to keep the Sox in this one as long as he could.
Three Duds
Dustin May (4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 3 HRs, 3 BBs, 3 Ks)
Woof. Former Dodgers pitchers on the Red Sox are not having a fun time.
Nate Eaton (0-for-2)
What’s the point of Nate Eaton playing tonight? Ceddanne is much more comfortable in the outfield, and we need Lowe at first base. We have too many David Hamilton type players platooning right now.
Jarren Duran (0-for-3, 1 BB, 2 Ks)
This was a harsh night for Duran at the dish. His called strike three in the 6th really stifled what could have been a great rally.
Play of the Game
If you know me and my recaps, I will always look for one bright spot for the Red Sox to highlight here, and to me, this catch was just massively impressive.
