And now, three games later, the New York Yankees are taking a walk of shame out of Fenway Park.
The 1st pitch that alleged ace Gerrit Cole threw yesterday was hit for a home run. Later in the inning, he allowed a 3-run home run. The Yankees were down 4-0, and, given the way they've been hitting, the game was already over.
The Yankees had men on 1st and 2nd with 1 out in the 3rd, but didn't score. They didn't get another chance until the 6th, by which point it was 6-0 Boston. DJ LeMahieu led off with a single, and Aaron Judge hit a home run.
They loaded the bases with 1 out in the 7th, but the heroes of the 6th flopped: DJLM struck out, and Judge popped up.
Luis Cessa should not be pitching in the major leagues. He pitched a scoreless 6th, but allowed another run in the 7th. Brooks Kriskie should not be pitching in the major leagues. He allowed 2 more runs in the 8th.
With 2 out in the 9th, Clint Frazier drew a walk, and advanced to 2nd on defensive indifference. But Gary Sanchez struck out to end it.
Red Sox 9, Yankees 2. WP: Eduardo Rodriguez (6-4). No save. LP: Cole (8-4).
Over these 3 games, the Yankees were outscored 18-7. Are the Red Sox cheating again? Even if they are, it doesn't matter: The Yankees should be putting up more of a fight than this.
Instead, they are now 40-37, 6 1/2 games (6 in the loss column) behind the 1st place Red Sox in the American League Eastern Division. And 5 games out of the AL's 2nd Wild Card berth in the Playoffs.
They come home to face the Los Angeles Angels -- and then a City Series against the Mets.
As I said earlier in the Boston series: I have seen the Yankees play worse, but I have never seen them play this stupidly. They appear to have the talent. But it isn't working.
The fan base finally seems to be accepting that general manager Brian Cashman bears responsibility for this debacle, as field manager Aaron Boone does. But it looks like operating owner Hal Steinbrenner is committed to both of them, at least through the end of this season.
Oy.