Red Sox and Rafael Devers give the Yankees another defeat in the series
NEW YORK – After three shaky starts, Luis Gil corrected a throwing error that increased his ERA and sent the Yankees universe into a slight panic.
On Sunday night, Gil was back to the form he deserved as AL Rookie of the Year – with one loud exception.
Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers moved toward modern-day Yankee-killer territory by hitting a crucial solo hit in the seventh inning and later capping his holiday weekend in the Bronx with another home run.
No, Yankees manager Aaron Boone wasn’t going to give Devers a clear run to first base on a night when the ultra-efficient cutter Crawford held the Yankees scoreless for seven innings.
Boone’s biggest takeaway from Boston’s 3-0 win was Gil’s solid 6.2 innings, “a very encouraging part of a tough end to a tough series.”
Red Sox stop Yankees’ weak recovery
Since losing two of three games at Fenway Park last month, the Yankees are now 0-6-1 in seven series and three games behind the AL East-leading Orioles. Next weekend they play a three-game series in Baltimore before the All-Star break.
“It’s hard,” said Juan Soto. “Everyone knows what we’re going through. But I think the energy is still there, we still believe and we fight hard every day.”
That energy was boundless the day before, when Ben Rice entered the franchise’s record books by becoming the first Yankees rookie to hit three home runs in a game.
Shortly after that 14-4 win, the Yanks (55-37) managed only four hits and no walks against Crawford, who threw only 68 pitches in his seven innings.
“Our plan was to be aggressive against him and he was able to take us out quickly,” said DJ LeMahieu, who described the mood at the club recently as “positive but frustrating.”
Yankees starter Luis Gil returns to former form
Losing for the 15th In their last 20 games, the Yankees’ first six batters – Rice, Soto, Aaron Judge, Alex Verdugo, Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells – combined to go 1-for-21.
The only hit was Soto’s leadoff double in the seventh inning as the Red Sox (49-40) improved their record against the Yankees to 12-5 through 2023.
At least Gil has put his last three nightmarish starts – all of them losses – behind him.
Through Sunday night, Gil had posted a 14.90 ERA in the previous three games, allowing 16 runs, 14 hits and nine walks with six strikeouts in just 9.2 innings.
On Sunday, Gil’s electrifying fastball returned and he compensated for a mediocre changeup by throwing his best slider of the season.
“I kept it simple. I was able to make my throws,” Gil said, much more reminiscent of the pitcher who posted a 2.03 ERA in his first 14 starts.
However, Gil didn’t go into detail about what improvements he’s made to his delivery, saying only that he’s worked hard between starts to get there.
The score was still tied in the seventh inning when Devers – who had earlier singled and struck out Gil – sent a 99 mph fastball over the left-center field boundary wall with one out on a 2-2 count.
The Yankees’ Rafael Devers dilemma
Boone had thought “a little bit” about having Luke Weaver throw for Devers at that spot, but argued that the right-hander’s profile was similar to Gil’s.
“The way Luis threw the ball and where he was gave me a very good feeling about him.”
As for Devers’ intentional walk, “putting him on the field with the game tied 0-0 and no one on base was not even a consideration,” Boone said.
“We see that sometimes … with some of our guys,” Boone said, referring to teams that will have to face Soto and Judge, the Yankees’ two All-Star starters. “Clearly a great player. We have to do better against him.”
“It feels awful,” Boone said of that stretch. “You have to be a little sick to be in that game… you have to be able to get through it.”
“It’s all right in front of us,” Boone said. “Hopefully we can build on Luis’ performance and play our game.”
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