Chapman blows the lead, walks in run to give Boston 5-4 win

After a much-needed break, the New York Yankees returned to action Friday night at Fenway Park. Needing to push the reset button and begin the second half of the season on a high note, the Bombers looked to take game one from the rival Red Sox. The Yankees were able to take a 4-3 lead to the bottom of the ninth, until Aroldis Chapman and the defense imploded, leading to a heartbreaking 5-4 loss.

AP Photo/ Michael Dwyer

Jordan Montgomery (6-4, 3.65 ERA), started off his first start in Fenway looking a little rusty. Through the first two innings he threw 55 pitches, and walked two batters, but gave up zero runs.

For the Red Sox, Drew Pomeranz (9-4, 3.60 ERA) had no trouble working economically through two innings but during the third inning the Yankees were able to finally score on him. A leadoff single by Chase Headley, followed by a single right up the middle by Ronald Torreyes, put runners on first and third with no outs. After a strikeout by Brett Gardner, Gary Sanchez singled on a line drive to left, that was deflected by Xander Bogaerts which made the score 1-0 after the top of the third inning.

During the bottom of the third inning, Montgomery continued to struggle. Bogaerts singled on a fly ball to left field, that Gardner ran up and caught, but could not hang on to. Hanley Ramirez then hit a two-run shot, on a fly ball to center field. After three, the score was 2-1 Boston.  

Tonight was just not the best evening for Montgomery. A very high pitch count and a leadoff walk to Sam Travis during the bottom of the fourth, put the young lefty in trouble again. Christian Vazquez singled on a ground ball to left field, and on a force attempt, Torreyes missed a catch on a potential double play, that led to the bases being loaded with zero outs. Mookie Betts popped out to Headley at third base, but Dustin Pedroia singled on a ground ball to left field, making it 3-1 with just one out. At 95 pitches, Montgomery avoided a much worse inning, and got Bogaerts to ground into an inning ending double play.

The Bombers would continue to fight. Headley led off the top of the fifth with a hard-hit ground ball to left field. Gardner, singled on a line drive to right field that scored Headley making it 3-2. After taking two hard swings and missing, Gary Sanchez hit a mammoth home run over the monster in left field giving the Bombers a 4-3 lead.

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

Needing to get five innings from the bullpen, the Bombers called on Chad Green (0-0, 1.91 ERA) to start it off. Green was masterful striking out five of the six batters he faced. Adam Warren (2-1, 2.02 ERA) came in during the bottom of the seventh inning, and after two quick outs ran into trouble. A single to right field by Bogaerts, and a hard-hit single off the monster by Ramirez, the Red Sox had runners on first and third with two outs. Pinch hitter Andrew Benintendi gave one a ride to deep center field, but it was ultimately caught and the Bombers escaped the inning with their 4-3 lead intact.

Dellin Betances (3-4, 3.18 ERA), who has really struggled as of late, came into the game during the eighth inning. Needing a quality outing to perhaps get his confidence back, Betances did just that. A quick strikeout to Bradley, was followed by a hit batter. However, the big right-hander struck out pinch hitter Tzu-Wei Lin, and pinch hitter Sandy Leon. After eight innings of play the Bombers held on to a 4-3 lead.

Aroldis Chapman was brought in during the bottom of the ninth inning, trying for his ninth save on the season. Having to take on the top of the Red Sox lineup, Chapman surrendered a single to Betts to leadoff the inning. and on an infield single, Pedroia was able to reach due to a high throw by Gregorius. Pedroia and Betts stole second and third base, respectively, to have two runners in scoring position with zero outs. Bogaerts was able to reach on a fielding error by Torreyes, which tied the game at four. After an intentional walk to Ramirez, Chapman walked Benintendi to give the Red Sox the game by a final score of 5-4.

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

Tomorrow the Yankees take on the Boston Red Sox in game two of the four game set. The solid Luis Severino (5-4, 3.54 ERA) takes the hill for the Bombers. For the Red Sox, their ace Chris Sale (11-4, 2.75 ERA) will look to continue his solid season.

Winning Pitcher: Robby Scott ( 1-1, 3.91 ERA) 1.0 IP, 1 SO

Losing Pitcher: Aroldis Chapman (2-1, 4.35 ERA) 0.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB

Notables:

Gary Sanchez: 2-4, R, 3 RBI (43)

Chase Headley: 2-3, 2 R

Aaron Judge: 0-3, BB

Brett Gardner: 1-3, R, RBI (41), BB

Article by: Randy Hancock

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