BOSTON — The Purple Sox couldn’t have had extra momentum getting into the All-Star break, particularly after going 9-3 to start out July at 11 video games over .500.
That’s vanished since then as Boston is 2-7 for the reason that All-Star break with three straight collection losses. That got here after an 8-2 loss to the New York Yankees to clinch that destiny on Sunday night time at Fenway Park.
From blown saves to leaving runs on the board, the Purple Sox haven’t performed unhealthy baseball for probably the most half. As an alternative, it’s been an inside shortcoming of profiting from alternatives inside their grasp.
“We’ve had possibilities,” Cora informed reporters. “We had the ball within the ninth inning just a few instances and we didn’t end video games. Clearly, it doesn’t look nice. From my finish, I believe we’re OK. Right this moment, clearly slightly bit sloppy defensively. General, the trouble is there. We had an opportunity to win the collection. Yesterday, it didn’t occur. Simply gotta flip the web page and be prepared for tomorrow.”
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Notably, Boston’s once-sturdy pitching employees has proven indicators of regression. With All-Star righty Tanner Houck on the mound, the Yankees scored three runs within the first inning for the second straight night time. A brief-handed bullpen with out Chris Martin and Justin Slaten additionally continues to take a toll.
“Groups are going to make changes,” Cora stated. “Guys are going to have unhealthy video games. That’s a part of it, proper? We simply need to maintain making changes. I don’t assume a stretch of 9 video games dictates who we’re, proper?”
“You’re going to have your highs and lows,” Houck informed reporters. “Maintain displaying up day-after-day and doing the stuff that issues. Maintain placing in that work. Robust begin, however that’s OK. We’ve acquired time to piece it again collectively and present up.”
The Purple Sox went from a two-game lead within the wild card race to sitting a sport out and in addition trailing the Yankees by 5 1/2 video games within the division and the main Baltimore Orioles by 6 1/2 video games.
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Having a downturn with the commerce deadline arising on Tuesday doesn’t assist both. With that stated, it ought to come as a way of urgency for Boston to show it round.
“It’s clearly a troublesome stretch,” Rob Refsnyder informed reporters. “We performed some good groups. We simply haven’t been in a position to push by means of and win collection as of late. We’ve acquired one other actually good group coming in in Seattle. … We gotta determine it out and determine it out quick. I’m assured within the group we’ve got right here that we are able to do this.”
extra purple sox
Purple Sox Wrap: Boston Drops Collection To Yankees After Early Deficit
2 Min Learn
Listed below are extra notes from Sunday’s Yankees-Purple Sox sport:
— Rafael Devers turned the primary Boston hitter with 450 extra-base hits earlier than the age of 28, per Purple Sox PR.
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— Boston has misplaced back-to-back Sundays for the primary time this season after beginning 2024 on a 15-1 stretch on Sundays.
— Tanner Houck recorded at the least six innings for the sixteenth time in 21 begins for the Purple Sox this season.
— Danny Jansen reached base 3 times with a pair of singles in his group debut.
“Nice at-bats, man,” Cora stated. “Hit the ball onerous. Labored some counts. Swung on the proper pitches.”
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— Jansen and James Paxton each spoke pregame about becoming a member of Boston in the midst of a postseason push down the stretch after their weekend trades.
— The Purple Sox start a three-game collection on Monday in opposition to the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park. First pitch is ready for 7:10 p.m. ET. You may catch the sport, plus an hour of pregame protection, on NESN.
