Chapman fades in the 9th

Aroldis Chapman’s confidence is completely shot.
And the Yankees’ already slim chances of winning the AL East may be shot as well.
Chapman looked lost on the mound once again, giving up two more runs, and the Bombers’ bullpen imploded in a demoralizing 9-6 defeat to the Red Sox on Friday night at Fenway Park.
Boston is now five games ahead of New York in the division, with Sox ace Chris Sale set to take the mound on Saturday.


Red Sox fans chanted “Chapman! Chapman!” as the $86 million man allowed Rafael Devers and Christian Vazquez to complete a double-steal in the eighth inning without even noticing before Jackie Bradley Jr.’s two-run single. In his last four appearances, the 29-year-old flamethrower has allowed seven runs.
The Yankees led the majors in bullpen ERA (2.15) in the second half heading into the game, but their relievers combined to give up six runs in four innings on Friday night. Chad Green and Tommy Kahnle combined to give up four runs in the bottom of the seventh alone after the Yankees scored four of their own in the top of the frame to take a 6-3 lead.
Mookie Betts started Boston’s comeback with a sacrifice fly. Andrew Benintendi followed with an RBI single. And Mitch Moreland saw three consecutive changeups from Kahnle — he ripped the final one for a two-run single that put the Red Sox ahead 7-6.

Gary Sanchez had ignited New York’s four-run inning with his 23rd homer. Ronald Torreyes gave the Bombers a 5-3 lead in the frame with a key two-run single off the Green Monster. Aaron Hicks was hit by his second pitch of the night to make it 6-3.

Andrew Benintendi went full extension to rob Didi Gregorius of a potential extra-base hit leading off the fourth. Clearly, Benintendi — who had nine RBI last weekend in the Bronx — does it with his glove, too.

Batting with the bases loaded for the second time in the game, Aaron Judge whiffed against Addison Reed before Gary Sanchez lined out to end the top of the seventh. In the bottom of the frame, Boston took the lead for good.

 Rafael Devers went 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs and two runs scored. The 20-year-old rookie has been fantastic since his promotion to the big leagues.
 Aaron Judge tied pitcher Bill Stoneman (1971) with his 35th consecutive game with at least one strikeout in a single-season.

 Brett Gardner had three hits, a walk and also played stellar defense in left field as he has all season. He had a terrific read to snare Hanley Ramirez’s liner in the third.

 Well it just proves one thing, he's not a machine.