The New York Yankees closed out their weekend series at Fenway Park with a narrow 4-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Father’s Day. Despite a strong effort from ace Max Fried, timely hits from the Red Sox and a sturdy bullpen denied the Yankees a chance at a series win.
Fried, who entered the matchup as one of the top contenders for the AL Cy Young Award, delivered another quality start. The left-hander struck out eight and allowed just three earned runs over seven innings. His season ERA now sits at a stellar 1.91, with a 9-2 record to show for his consistency. However, the Yankees’ offense couldn’t generate enough support to back him up.
The Yankees’ lineup underwent a few changes, with Aaron Judge taking on designated hitter duties and Paul Goldschmidt getting the day off. Ben Rice and J.C. Escarra filled in, aiming to inject some youthful energy into the lineup, but their bats were largely quiet. Gleyber Torres provided an early spark with a solo home run in the second inning, his 12th of the season.
Boston answered back quickly. In the bottom of the third, Rafael Devers doubled in a run to tie the game. The Red Sox pushed ahead with two more runs in the sixth, capitalizing on aggressive baserunning and disciplined at-bats. The Yankees managed to pull within one in the top of the seventh but failed to produce in the final two innings.
Brayan Bello took the mound for the Red Sox and kept New York’s offense off balance, mixing speeds and spotting pitches with precision. He gave up two runs across six innings before turning it over to the bullpen. Chris Martin, Josh Winckowski, and closer Kenley Jansen combined for three innings of one-run relief to secure the win.
“We had some opportunities,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “But credit their bullpen. They executed pitches when they needed to.”
The loss marks the Yankees’ second straight defeat in the series and puts their record at 45-26. While still atop the AL East standings, the team will look to regain momentum as they return to Yankee Stadium for a six-game homestand beginning Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners.
Highlights:
- Max Fried: 7 IP, 8 K, 3 ER
- Gleyber Torres: Solo HR in 2nd inning
- Brayan Bello: 6 IP, 2 ER
- Kenley Jansen: 17th save of the season
Red Sox Capitalize on Clutch Moments
Though the Yankees had more total hits, Boston made theirs count. Devers’ RBI double was a key moment, followed by timely singles and productive outs. The Red Sox continue to stay in the postseason conversation with a 39-31 record.
The Fenway crowd, energized by the holiday and the rivalry, added to the game-day intensity. Both teams wore commemorative Father’s Day uniforms, and pregame festivities honored military families and community leaders.
Goldschmidt Rests as Boone Manages Workload
With Paul Goldschmidt sitting out, the Yankees showed confidence in their depth. Boone indicated it was a rest day for the veteran first baseman, citing the importance of keeping players fresh through the summer stretch.
“We’re looking at the long haul,” Boone said. “Paul’s been great, and we want him 100% for the big push.”
Aaron Judge went 1-for-4 as DH, while Anthony Volpe and Alex Verdugo combined for three hits in the middle of the order. Still, the team left seven runners on base, a key factor in the narrow defeat.
Yankees Set Sights on Homestand
Despite the back-to-back losses, the Yankees have shown resilience and depth throughout the season. With a top-ranked rotation and improving bullpen, they remain a favorite to lead the American League. Tuesday’s matchup with Seattle offers a chance to reset and regain momentum.
The Yankees are expected to shuffle their rotation slightly, with Nestor Cortes, Marcus Stroman, and Carlos Rodón likely to start during the homestand. Goldschmidt is expected to return to the lineup, and Boone hinted at possible call-ups to reinforce the bullpen.
