The Boston Red Sox dropped a tough one in the Bronx on Friday, August 28, falling to the New York Yankees 1-0 in a nine-inning division game that came down to a single swing. Paul Goldschmidt delivered a solo home run — the only run of the night — off Red Sox starter Patrick Sandoval, and New York's bullpen slammed the door from there. Boston's offense generated baserunners but could not push a single run across, leaving the Sox on the wrong end of a one-run divisional loss that will sting.
Sandoval Deals Well but Gives Up the One That Counts
Patrick Sandoval gave Boston a legitimate chance to win. He worked 5.1 innings, struck out seven, and held the Yankees to three hits. The problem was the four walks — one of which contributed to the sequence that led to Goldschmidt's damage — and the solo shot itself, which proved to be the entire margin. Sandoval took the loss despite a performance that, on most nights, would be good enough to win a ballgame.
The Red Sox bullpen did its job after Sandoval exited. Greg Weissert, Tyron Guerrero, and Wyatt Olds combined for 2.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts and zero hits allowed. Boston's relievers kept the game within reach — the offense just never cashed in.
Goldschmidt and Schlittler Carry New York
On the Yankees' side, Cam Schlittler was the story on the mound. The right-hander went 5.2 innings, scattered two hits, struck out eight, and did not allow an earned run. He walked five batters but worked out of trouble consistently, earning the win. Brent Headrick, Paul Blackburn, and David Bednar finished things off in relief, with Bednar recording a perfect ninth for the save.
Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with his home run and the lone RBI of the game. Ben Rice added a 2-for-4 night at the plate to pace New York's offense, though the Yankees didn't need much more than Goldschmidt's blast.
Boston's Offense Couldn't Break Through
The Red Sox did not go quietly at the plate — they just couldn't convert. Ceddanne Rafaela went 2-for-4, and Wilyer Abreu posted a 2-for-3 night, giving Boston two players who made consistent contact. But none of those hits turned into runs. The Sox left the Bronx with a box score that shows baserunners and hustle without a single tally to show for it.
Boston Offensive Highlights
- Ceddanne Rafaela: 2-for-4, 0 RBI
- Wilyer Abreu: 2-for-3, 0 RBI
New York Offensive Highlights
- Paul Goldschmidt: 1-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI
- Ben Rice: 2-for-4, 0 RBI
What's Next for the Red Sox
Boston stays on the road against New York, with the series continuing this weekend. The Sox will need their offense to find a way to support their pitching staff — Friday's game showed that Sandoval can compete in this division, but one solo homer in nine innings is an impossible margin to overcome when the lineup goes scoreless. Getting runners home has to be the priority when the Sox take the field again Saturday.
