(Photo courtesy of Brad Penner-Imagn Images) “Manager Alex Cora takes the ball from pitcher Bryan Bello in critical moment.”

Jake Messer

Connector Editor

On Thursday, Oct. 2nd, the Boston Red Sox fell to the New York Yankees 4-0 in a winner-take-all Game 3. The bats fell silent in the Bronx once again, putting an end to the Red Sox dreams of bringing playoff baseball back to Fenway Park this season. 

The Yankees certainly performed, but the real reason the Red Sox are the first team to have failed to advance after winning Game 1 in the new best of three format, is the errors, both physical and mental.

The collapse started back in Game 2. In the bottom of the fifth, runner on second, outfielder Aaron Judge at the plate. With two strikes, Judge hits a blooper out to left field. With it dropping fast, outfielder Jared Duran is running over to get it, where at the last second, he seems to be stuck between diving for it, or running it out, which causes him to drop the ball, allowing the runner to score with ease, giving the Yankees the lead. 

“As I was coming in, I thought it was hit a little harder than it was,” Duran said. “I kinda gained more ground than I thought. I didn’t have to go into a full dive there … it’s on me.”

Another folly would come in the top of the seventh. With runners on first and second and no outs, outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela comes to the plate to bunt? The Yankees were ready for this, having the infielders in. Furthermore, Rafaela looked completely uncomfortable trying to bunt, waving at the ball rather than squaring onto it. The first one was fouled off, which should have led to a chance to swing away. Instead, the bunt sign came down again and Rafaela popped out to the pitcher, killing all momentum.

However, with two outs, designated hitter Masataka Yoshida came to the plate and hit a ground ball to second which was picked up and thrown errantly to first, which was bobbled and trickled behind first base. With all the chaos, the runner failed to score, being way too hesitant. If runner Nate Eaton ran it out, because there is no real consequence with two outs, the red sox would have scored an important run. The inning would come to an end and the Red Sox failed to score a run.

The Red Sox would go on to lose Game 2, setting up a highly anticipated Game 3, which ended up being a night to forget for Red Sox fans. 

This time, the errors began in the bottom of the second. Designated Hitter Giancarlo Stanton would mash a curveball that bounced off the wall. Stanton, who thought the ball was gone, was talking to his bench until he realized it was still in play. Should be an easy out at second right? Wrong.

Duran, who wasn’t hustling for the ball, only started running after the ball hit the wall, allowing Stanton to scamper over to second. This wouldn’t hurt the Red Sox, but it was a warning of what was to come.

Two innings later, with no outs, outfielder Cody Bellinger hit a high blooper towards right center. It was a 50/50 ball between Rafaela and outfielder Wilyer Abreu that should have been caught. However, the combination of hesitation and Rafaela’s horrible route to the ball allows it to drop for a double. 

This would allow the Yankees to seize momentum, going on a hit spree which resulted in two runs. However, with the bases loaded and one out, a ball was hit to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe who was unable to backhand the ball for a chance at two. The ball kicked up off his glove and went behind him, allowing two more runners to cross home making it 4-0, which is how it would end.

“I thought I could get to the short hop and I didn’t,” Lowe said. “The in-between hop ate me up. Obviously, they got runs cashed in and we couldn’t make up for it.”

“We didn’t play defense,” manager Alex Cora said. “The popup, drops, there’s a double, and there’s a walk. They didn’t hit the ball hard, but they found holes. It just happened fast.”

A season with more highs and lows than a roller coaster is now in the books for the Red Sox. An offseason of utmost importance is now on the horizon. They must play their cards correctly if they wish to build upon this year’s triumphs and successes.