The New York Yankees experienced yet another setback Friday night, letting a late lead slip away in a 9-7 defeat to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. This loss marks the Yankees’ 24th in their last 35 games.
In the eighth inning, Yankees manager Aaron Boone called on closer Clay Holmes to secure a five-out save and protect a one-run lead. However, Holmes’ outing quickly deteriorated as the Red Sox mounted a comeback.
Pinch-hitter Wilyer Abreu ignited the rally with a game-tying single to right-center field, energizing the sellout crowd. Masataka Yoshida followed with a decisive two-run single up the middle, giving Boston a 9-7 lead.
Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen faced a tense ninth inning, allowing two hits but ultimately sealing the win. Jansen struck out DJ LeMahieu and forced Anthony Volpe into a groundout to end the game.
The Yankees’ late collapse overshadowed a powerful performance by slugger Aaron Judge, who hit a 470-foot home run to center field in the seventh inning. The blast, Judge’s fifth-longest of his career, temporarily silenced the Fenway crowd and gave New York a 6-4 lead.
Catcher Austin Wells added a home run of his own, extending the Yankees‘ lead to 7-4. However, the three-run cushion was not enough to stave off Boston’s rally.
The Red Sox’s comeback began in the bottom of the seventh when shortstop Ceddanne Rafaela hit a two-run homer off Yankees reliever Luke Weaver, setting the stage for the decisive eighth inning.
This loss continues a troubling trend for the Yankees, who have struggled to maintain leads and close out games in recent weeks. As the season progresses, pressure mounts on Boone and his team to reverse their fortunes and re-enter playoff contention.
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He needs to be delegated to the 7th inning. He is proving he is not a closer. He should have not made the All-Star team. it is getting very difficult to watch these games. You sit there and think to yourself, how are they going to melt down tonight.