The New York Yankees just had the kind of weekend that gets franchises circled in the history books for all the wrong reasons. Getting swept four straight by the Red Sox at Fenway Park is bad. But the way they did it? That’s some dark, turn-of-the-century stuff.
Sunday night’s 5-4 loss in 10 innings capped a series where the Yankees managed three hits or fewer in three consecutive games. The only other times that happened? 1908 and 1914. It’s safe to say the 1914 team didn’t have a $283 million payroll.
Boston’s Sonny Gray made sure the misery was thorough. The right-hander, facing his old team, carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Amed Rosario singled with one out. Gray also struck out Spencer Jones for his 2,000th career strikeout, a nice milestone for the 36-year-old. He finished with one hit, one walk and nine strikeouts over 7.1 innings, throwing 97 pitches and dropping his ERA to 2.69.
The Red Sox Rotation Is on a Historic Run
Gray’s performance wasn’t a fluke. Since returning from a right hamstring strain, he’s gone 7-0 with a 2.08 ERA over his last 10 starts. Before that injury? He was sitting at 4.30. Huge difference.
But it’s not just Gray. Boston’s rotation has now rattled off 11 consecutive quality starts, posting a 7-1 record with a 1.51 ERA during that stretch. The franchise hasn’t seen a run like that since 14 straight quality starts back in April 1988. That’s 37 years ago.
What’s wild is that the Yankees actually tied the game in the ninth inning after being held hitless until the eighth. They scored two runs against All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman, helped by a Wilyer Abreu throwing error. Then they took the lead in the 10th on an RBI single from Rosario after another Abreu error.
Boston’s Response Was Instant
The Red Sox didn’t flinch. Anthony Seigler drove in the automatic runner, Masataka Yoshida doubled, and Tsung-Cheng Cheng tied it with a sacrifice fly. Then New York did something desperate: they moved Rosario from left field into a five-man infield. That left right field uncovered. Jarren Duran lined a hit right there to win it. Justin Slaten got the win. Fernando Cruz took the loss.
New York finished with three hits total. They went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. They left four runners on base. That’s not how you win division titles.
The sweep was Boston’s first four-game sweep of the Yankees since 2018. It’s also the Red Sox’ first four-game winning streak of the season. Meanwhile, the Yankees arrived at Fenway with the best record in the American League. They left trailing the Tampa Bay Rays by one game in the AL East after losing eight of their last 11. That’s a pretty fast fall from the top.
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