The New York Yankees faced a tough loss against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, falling 2-0 in a game marked by missed opportunities and poor baserunning. The Yankees struggled to score throughout the weekend, and this game was no exception.
In the third inning, Ben Rice made a critical mistake while attempting to steal third base. After hitting a single and moving to second, Rice broke for third too early. Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello noticed and made a quick throw to shortstop Trevor Story, who easily tagged Rice out to end the inning. This misstep not only halted a potential rally but also highlighted the Yankees’ ongoing struggles on the basepaths.
Rice explained his thought process, saying he sensed that Bello was falling into a rhythm and believed he could take the extra base. However, his timing was off. Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Rice’s instincts but expressed disappointment in the execution. Boone emphasized the need for certainty in such situations, especially when it could lead to scoring opportunities.
This incident came just a day after another baserunning blunder by teammate Jasson Domínguez, who lost track of the count and was caught between bases during a crucial moment in Saturday’s game. Boone defended Domínguez, but the series was filled with costly mistakes that hindered the Yankees’ offensive efforts.
Throughout the game, the Yankees managed only one more runner in scoring position, further emphasizing their struggles at the plate. The team has seen some success with double steals this season, but these recent errors have overshadowed their potential.
The Yankees will need to regroup quickly as they look to improve their performance and avoid repeating these mistakes in future games.
