The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are dead-even in their wild card series after two games that came down to the wire. While the Red Sox came up clutch in Game One, the Yankees answered right back with a 4-3 victory Wednesday night to force Game 3 Thursday at 6 p.m. on ESPN. Boston and New York are looking to land the final blow and add another win to their storied rivalry.
In an extremely close game where every at bat felt as though it could turn the tables, New York had the last laugh; they forced a win-or-go-home elimination game.
The Yankees got off to a similar start as they did in Game One, with first baseman Ben Rice smashing a two-run home run off Brayan Bello in the bottom of the first inning. Bello had a very short day at the office, being unable to get out of the third inning, resulting in a bullpen game for the Red Sox.
Boston went to an identical small-ball offensive strategy in Game One, working off doubles and singles, including a single to center by Story that scored Duran and Rafaela, putting Boston on the board and tied the game 2-2.
After rotating through reliever Justin Wilson for one and one-third innings, the Red Sox brought in reliever Justin Slaten for the bottom of the fifth inning. Slaten wasn’t able to make it out of the inning, allowing a walk to Grisham, who eventually scored from first base after a single by Judge down the first base line, making the score 3-2.
Story immediately answered back, pulling a ball to the left field stands that knotted the game back up, 3-3. The game became a nail-biter with neither team able to pull away and take a late lead. That was until Chisholm came up to bat and proved why he should have started Game One.
Chisholm drew a walk with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, and catcher Austin Wells drove a ball towards right field that bounced off the sidewall, giving Chisholm just enough time to slide into home, taking the lead for New York 4-3.
Boston was unable to come up with an answer for Bednar in the top of the ninth as he was able to shut the door and force a Game 3.
“Bello’s start wasn’t what we needed from him to only pitch two and one-third innings, but I thought the bullpen responded the best way they could,” said Northeastern senior Dylan Wininger-Sieve. “I knew it was going to become a bullpen game, but it was still a huge punch in the gut to lose.”
Wininger-Sieve noted how the Red Sox were unable to capitalize with runners in scoring position during the top of the seventh inning, which ultimately cost them the game.
“It was a tough play for Chisholm to make to try to get the runner out at first, and [Nate] Eaton had the chance to score, but they didn’t send him,” he added. “Those are the opportunities you need to cash in on.”
Despite the gloom from the loss last night, Wininger-Sieve is confident that Boston can still come out on top.
“We’re most likely going to have our number one rookie, Connelly Early, start for us, and he was dealing in his debut,” he said. Early went five innings in his major league debut against the Sacramento Athletics, allowing five hits, one walk, no runs, and striking out eleven batters.
“As long as he can go through six innings, and with our bats starting to heat up over the last couple of games, we have a great chance of winning and advancing.”
