Betances allows homer to Ortiz as game slips away from Yanks late

The Yankees began a weekend series with the Boston Red Sox on Friday with their ace Masahiro Tanaka on the hill against Red Sox youngster Henry Owens. Although the Yankees offense was less than stellar, Tanaka put together a very solid outing, making one pitch he wishes he could take back. David Ortiz would deliver the big blow with a 2-run home run off Dellin Betances in the 8th to give the Red Sox a 4-2 win.

Photo Via Elise Amendola, AP

1st inning:

After a leadoff walk from Jacoby Ellsbury on 4 pitches and a push bunt single by Brett Gardner, Carlos Beltran would ground into a double play ending the threat. In the bottom half of the inning, Chase Headley made his second error of the season but the Red Sox were unable to capitalize.

2nd inning:

Alex Rodriguez would lead off the 2nd inning with a 425-foot solo homer over the Monster. Starlin Castro would also triple on a misplayed ball by Jackie Bradley Jr. that rolled to the wall. Then, Chase Headley hit a short fly to left, and Castro was gunned at the plate trying to score by Brock Holt.

3rd inning:

Ellsbury stole second but was victimized by an inning ending strike-em out, throw-em out. The Red Sox were sent down in order.

4th inning:

Each team picked up a base runner but couldn't threaten any further.

5th inning:

Starlin Castro lead off the 5th with single then Chase Headley, doing Chase Headley things grounded into a double play. However, the Yankees rallied with 2 outs and pushed across a run on a seeing-eye single through the 3.5 hole off the bat of Brett Gardner. Tanaka picked up a big shut down inning setting the Sox down in order.

6th inning:

Neither team threatened.

7th inning:

The 7th was where the Red Sox did their damage off Masahiro Tanaka. Travis Shaw and Brock Holt picked up back to back singles with 1 out before Tanaka struck out Ryan Hanigan. Then, with 2 outs, Jackie Bradley Jr. crushed a double off the monster which scored Holt who was motoring around the bases. Tanaka would leave the game after 6.2 innings, and Betances would replace him.

8th inning:

After a single up the middle by Xander Bogaerts, David Ortiz smashed a first pitch curveball over the Green Monster to give the Red Sox a 4-2 lead. Fenway Park erupted in a loud "PAPI! PAPI!" chant.

9th inning:

Craig Kimbrel came in for the save and set the Yankees down in order.

Conclusion:

The Yankees really let this game slip away. They were in complete control for 6.2 innings before Tanaka gave up the lead. Still, Tanaka had a fantastic outing, and the story here is that the offense once again was nonexistent. Winning the series now looks bleak with a struggling Michael Pineda on the hill tomorrow and David Price pitching on Sunday.

Article by:

Chad Raines

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