Carlos Rodon struggles as Yankees fall to Red Sox 8-4

The Yankees were unable to capitalize on runners in scoring position while Carlos Rodon struggled in an 8-4 loss to the Red Sox on Saturday night at Fenway Park.

Here are the conclusions…

-Rodon got roughed up early against the Red Sox, allowing five earned runs in the first two innings as Boston teed off in left field. He allowed six of his seven hits in those innings, including four doubles and two walks, while putting the Yankees in a 5-2 hole after two.

Although things looked ugly at first, Rodon calmed down and made it through the fifth inning and allowed just one more hit the rest of the way. He finished with seven strikeouts, but the damage was already done.

-The Yankees had many chances to get back into the game, but they were unable to take advantage of them. In the fifth inning, they loaded the bases with one out to Alex Verdugo. But the former Red Sox outfielder was unable to exact revenge on his former team and instead focused on being a force at home plate.

Giancarlo Stanton was next, but the Yankees slugger struck out, hitting three pitches out of the zone.

The Yankees loaded the bases again in the eighth with one out to DJ Le Mahieuwho hit a soft grounder to shortstop for a forced out in the second that brought in a run to make it a 6-4 game. Antonio Volpe followed, but was unable to capitalize as he popped out to right field to end the inning.

–Juan Soto reached base three times, including a solo home run in the seventh inning that narrowly missed past the Green Monster in left-center field. It was initially ruled out, but was quickly overturned in a replay review that it was a home run.

-LeMahieu, who had the night off Friday and has struggled since returning to the IL, picked up two more RBIs with an opposite-field bloop single in the second inning.

Game MVP: Jarren Duran

The Red Sox outfielder set the tone for this one with a leadoff double and finished 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in the 8-4 Boston win.

Highlights

What is the next

The Yankees and Red Sox wrap up their three-game series Sunday at Fenway Park. The first performance is scheduled for 7:10 pm.

Marcus Stroman (6-2, 2.82 ERA) takes the mound for the Yanks while Kutter Crawford (2-6, 3.47) gets the start for Boston.