The Sox were in trouble fast, with Brayan Bello hitting the game’s first batter, allowing a double to the second, and walking the third. The Yankees scored twice in the inning and honestly Bello was lucky to escape with as little damage as he did.
Some fun and interesting stuff happened in the middle of the game:
- A Pesky Pole homer by Alex Bregman (his first HR in just over a month)
- A nice day at the plate for Nate Eaton (2-2), Nick Sogard (2-4), and Connor Wong (2-3)
- Our middle/long relief kept us in the game
- A pinch-hit home run by Jarren Duran that brought the Sox within one. It felt like a sparkplug and like anything might be possible in that moment.
But the game was bookended by less-than-stellar pitching. Aroldis Chapman was too wild and let the Yankees pad their lead and the Sox went quietly in their half of the ninth.
Studs
Middle and Long Relievers
Chris Murphy delivered
a 1-2-3 6th inning in relief of Bello, and Garrett Whitlock was crafty when he needed to be. They stanched the bleeding and gave the offense a chance.
6-8 Hitters (except Masataka Yoshida)
Eaton, Sogard, and Wong had really good nights at the plate, though it’s Jarren Duran who’ll be remembered for his home run while pinch-hitting for Eaton in the eighth. Alex Cora made several swaps in that inning, and for a minute, while Duran rounded the bases, it seemed like a great idea. I questioned why he wanted to sub Masataka Yoshida for Wong but even with Masa’s whiff, these guys combined for a more-than-respectable 7-for-11, 1 HR, 2R.
Honorable Mention
David Ortiz in the Booth
The always fun, always charming Ortiz was very Ortiz again today. I loved his support for young callups Roman Anthony and especially Nate Eaton (who had just been thrown out).
Duds
Brayan Bello
He didn’t have it today.
5.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB 4K, 1 HR, 1 HBP
Aroldis Chapman
He didn’t have it today, either, giving up an unaccustomed two hits, one earned run (that felt like the last nail in the coffin), and two wild pitches.
2H, 2 WP, 1 ER, 0K
Batters with RISP
The Sox were 1-7 and left 8 men on base.
Play of the Game
It’s the first pinch-hit HR of Jarren Duran’s career.
