Red Sox Drop Crucial Series to Division-Leading Yankees

The Boston Red Sox entered a crucial three-game weekend series with the New York Yankees just 5.5 games out of first place in the American League East. Following Sunday’s disheartening 8-6 defeat, they now sit 6.5 games back with the All-Star break now upon us.

Boston blew a prime chance to make up major ground in the standings, dropping all but one of the games to their hated rival. The Red Sox outhit the Yankees on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park, but the heroics of a rookie sent the hometown fans home disappointed.

Playing in just his second Major League game, Yankees second baseman Rob Refsnyder, smacked a two-run homer in the ninth off of Alexi Ogando. The blast over the Green Monster put the Yankees up 8-4.

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The Red Sox made it interesting in the bottom of the ninth, plating a pair of runs on an error and sacrifice fly, but Yankees closer Andrew Miller put his foot down and sealed the deal.

After falling behind 2-0 early on, the Red Sox battled back and scored three runs in the third to take the lead. Xander Bogaerts, Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez all recorded RBI singles in the frame.

The Yankees regained control of the game in the sixth, scoring three runs on three doubles to go up 6-4. Red Sox starter Wade Miley was chased from the game as a result.

Miley pitched just 5 1/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on seven hits. He struck out one and allowed a homer to Brian McCann in the second inning.