About Last Night: Red Sox Win 2-1 in 10

About Last Night: The Yankees Were Edged by the Red Sox 2-1 in 10 Innings

By Tim Kabel

June 14, 2025

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The Yankees lost a close game to the Red Sox last night. They have lost three games in a row against Boston and three out of four this season. It was great that the Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals three games in a row, but they need to win some games against the Red Sox and other American League East teams as well. The Yankees lost the last two weekend series to the Dodgers and Red Sox in that order. They don't need to lose another series to the Red Sox this weekend. 

Quick Stats – 

·       Aaron Judge was 0-8 with seven strikeouts against Garrett Crochet before hitting that home run in the ninth inning.

·       Last night was the first time in his career that Garrett Crochet recorded an out in the ninth inning of a game he started.

·       Anthony Volpe has seven stolen bases this season but has been thrown out five times. 

·       Aaron Judge’s home run off Crochet in the 9th inning went 443 feet over the Green Monster and was hit off a 99.6 m.p.h. pitch, the fastest pitch which Judge has ever hit for a home run.

·       Aaron Judge has 26 home runs and 60 RBI in 67 games this season. He is also batting.390.

·       On June 13th, 1948, the Yankees retired Babe Ruth’s Uniform Number 3, while the crowd serenaded him with “Auld Lang Syne.’  Babe Ruth died two months later.

The Big Story – 

The Yankees are 42-26 and in first place in the American League East. The Red Sox are 35-36 and in fourth place, 8 1/2 games behind the Yankees. However, the Red Sox have beaten the Yankees three out of four games so far this season. This is not a cause for panic or hysteria.  But it is something to notice. The Red Sox have not been a very good team this season. However, they have several young players who could easily be convinced that they are a good team. They are also a very good offensive team. The Yankees need to be very careful that they don't allow the Red Sox to believe they are the better team. If the Yankees win the next two games, which is entirely possible, then the season series will sit at 3-3. If they split the next two games, then they will trail the Red Sox in the season series 4-2. That would not be a cause for panic, but it would be concerning, having lost two consecutive weekend series to the Red Sox. However, if they lose the next two games to the Red Sox, that could be a problem, as the Yankees would trail the season series 5-1. I am not saying that the Yankees would be doomed but, losing streaks and Boone-Swoons gain momentum very quickly. 

Player of the Game – 

Aaron Judge was once again the star of the game with his 26th home run in the ninth inning. It tied the game at 1-1. Although the Yankees eventually lost, it wasn't Judge's fault. 

Notable Performances – 

Anthony Volpe had half of the Yankees’ hits but, he was thrown out attempting to steal third base in the 10th inning. 

Ryan Yarbrough - 4.2 ip, 4 hits, 1 run

Jonathan Loaisiga, Ian Hamilton, and Fernando Cruz combined for four innings of one hit, scoreless relief.

Better To Forget-

The offense only mustered four hits. 

My Take – 

A few thoughts on last night's game and the season in general:

·       I have advocated very strongly for the Yankees to steal more bases. Even though Anthony Volpe was thrown out attempting to steal third base in the 10th inning, I stand by my position. However, there is clearly something going on with Anthony Volpe and his base stealing. In 2023, Volpe stole 24 bases and was thrown out 5 times. Last year, he stole 28 bases and was thrown out 7 times. This year, he has stolen 7 bases and been thrown out 5 times. I don't believe he is slower than he used to be. The announcers mentioned the little jump that he does before he attempts to steal a base. Perhaps that is something the Yankees’ coaches and Aaron Boone need to work on with Volpe. I am not a base stealing expert but, presumably the coaching staff and the manager of the Yankees are. They should be able to determine what is causing Volpe to be thrown out more often this season. His success rate is not acceptable. For example, Jasson Dominguez has 9 stolen bases and has not been thrown out at all. I think Volpe’s problem is probably something that can be corrected, but the coaching staff and Aaron Boone need to do it. However, Aaron Boone is much better at throwing gum and tantrums and being ejected from games than he is at coming up with solutions.

·       I know it is only June. However, the next two games are important for the Yankees. I am not sounding the alarm. I am just observing what is happening and I have observed what has happened in the past. For the last three years, the Yankees went on prolonged slumps or Boone-Swoons during the months of June and July. That has not happened yet but, it is June 14th. This is about when these things normally begin. It is like hurricane season. You know there's a pretty good chance of a hurricane happening at that time of year. Similarly, Boone-Swoons usually happen in June and July. The Yankees should be able to beat the Red Sox. I don't mean that they should beat them every game but, to the casual observer, the Red Sox appear to be the better team right now. They are not, but they could become the better team if things don't change quickly.

·       Right now, the Yankees are in first place. They are on a pace to win 100 games. The sun is shining and there is a pleasant breeze blowing. There does not appear to be anything to worry about. However, the Boone-Swoon is a real thing. At some point or another, it has happened almost every year since Boone became the manager. The fact that the Yankees lost two of three to the Dodgers and then two of three to the Red Sox and now another game to the Red Sox could be an indicator that it is about to happen again. The fact that the Yankees do not win games in which they are trailing is also a concern. I think Yankees’ fans need to be aware that the Boone-Swoon could be about to occur. Maybe this time it will be different. Eventually, Charlie Brown is destined to kick that football that Lucy is holding for him. Or maybe not. Just remember, in this scenario, Yankees’ fans are Charlie Brown and Aaron Boone is Lucy. 

Next Up-

The Yankees will play the second game of the three-game series against the Red Sox tonight at 7:15 PM at Fenway Park. Hunter Dobbins, (3-1, 4.20 ERA) will pitch for Boston. The Yankees will send Carlos Rodon, (8-4, 2.87 ERA) to the mound. Let’s hope the Yankees chase Hunter off the mound early.

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Editor's Note - Today's graphic was created by Microsoft Copilot. I gave the following prompt: "Please create a cartoon-type graphic of a smiling Red Sox player sitting next to a sad Yankees player."