The Red Sox lost to the Yankees 4-1 on Wednesday night, their second straight defeat against New York, and did not score until they finally broke through with two outs in the ninth inning. That lone run snapped a 17-inning scoreless streak, but it arrived too late to change the result.
Jarren Duran was one of the few bright spots for Boston, finishing with three hits, including two opposite-field doubles. His first double put runners at second and third with no outs in the second inning, one of the club’s best chances before the offense went quiet again.
Boston had only five hits and fell to 9-15 after losing four of its previous five games. The Red Sox score line was shaped early by Ranger Suarez, who lasted 4 2/3 innings and gave up four runs, including a three-run home run to Amed Rosario in the first inning. On the other side, Max Fried struck out nine batters over eight innings and retired 14 in a row to finish his night.
Duran said the loss was tough and that the team always wants to take at least one game in a series, but added that Boston can still get one Thursday. He said the group is putting pressure on itself and trying to do too much, while also stressing that it is still early and there is plenty of time to play baseball. He pointed to the expectations that come with a big market and a legacy that can weigh on the clubhouse, even if players try not to feel it.
He also said the public does not get to see the work the team puts in behind closed doors each day, and said the players know they have to keep working hard and stop trying to please everyone. Manager Alex Cora said Fried was very good at what he does, but added that Boston still has to be better and must find a way to put the ball in play and score.
The next test comes Thursday night, when the Red Sox are scheduled to face Cam Schlittler, the Walpole native who ended their season last October with a dominant mound performance. For a team already at 9-15, the challenge is less about salvaging one game than finding an offense that can keep up before the standings pull further away.