The Yankees were knocking on the door, but the Red Sox shut them out in a 5-4 thriller in Game 1 of the ALDS at Fenway Park. >> Box score
1) J.A. Happ was entrusted to take care of the Sox to kick off this series, but his stuff just wasn't there. After allowing a single to Andre Benintendi and walking Steve Pearce, J.D. Martinez got the best of a 2-0 fastball and sent it over the Green Monster for a three-run homer. Then, in the bottom of the third, Happ was pulled after allowing runners on the corners to start. Chad Green didn't help allowing both runners across. Overall, Happ allowed five runs on four hits while striking out two and walking one over just two innings and 44 pitches.
2) The Yankees began chipping away at the Red Sox' bullpen in the sixth inning after Chris Sale came out with two runners on. Luke Voit singled home Brett Gardner, while Didi Gregorius avoided a double play to bring home Giancarlo Stanton. But they missed a huge opportunity with bases loaded when Gleyber Torres struck out to end the inning.
3) In the seventh, the Yankees found themselves with bases loaded and no one out with Stanton at the plate. But Matt Barnes picked up a huge strikeout to send Stanton back to the dugout. Voit, then, rolled over to third, but avoided a double play to let the third Yankee run score. With runners on the corners, Gregorius grounded out to avoid even more damage.
4) Judge kept the Yankees' hope alive in the top of the ninth with a solo homer to right to make it a one-run game. But Craig Kimbrel regained composure and delivered three straight outs.
5) The Yankees were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position tonight.
Highlights from tonight's game
Chip away. pic.twitter.com/gCzFrJotyK
- New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 6, 2018
Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives
The Yankees, after quickly falling behind, couldn't chip all the way back despite numerous chances to do so.
They failed to receive the effort they hoped from Happ, which has to be incredibly disheartening after arranging their playoff rotation around his history pitching against Boston. Sale was the bigger question mark coming into Game 1, but if the series goes to a deciding fifth game, Happ will be the hurler we'll be wondering what type of performance to expect.
While the Yankees bullpen (after Green) did its job, the offense came up short when it counted most. The Yankees did an excellent job chipping away to force the Red Sox to empty their bullpen, but having two chances with the bases loaded -- the second with no one out -- and coming up with just one run in that particular instance surely hurt the Yanks.
The Yankees have a goal to grab one game in Boston. Regardless of Sale's questions coming in, it always looked like Game 2 against David Price, who the Yankees have crushed this season, would be their best bet to snag a win. The Yankees will get their chance to cash in Saturday night, something they couldn't in Game 1.
What's Next
The Yankees and Red Sox continue their ALDS with Game 2 at Fenway Park on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. Masahiro Tanaka and David Price will take the mound.
