Red Sox Blame Fundamentals, Not Pitching, for Game 2 Loss

The Boston Red Sox let a golden chance slip away to close out their wild-card series against the New York Yankees. They lost 4-3 in Game 2 at Yankee Stadium.

Manager Alex Cora tried to shake things up with some aggressive moves. But defensive errors and missed plays ended up costing Boston the game.

Now, with their season hanging by a thread in Game 3, the Red Sox have to rely on an untested rookie. Everyone’s also worried about a tired bullpen.

Costly Mistakes Undo Aggressive Game Plan

Cora didn’t waste time in Game 2—he pulled starter Brayan Bello after just 2 1/3 innings and rolled out seven pitchers in all. The plan was to attack matchups and keep the Yankees’ hitters off balance.

But all those pitching changes couldn’t hide the breakdowns on defense. Sloppy execution on the field kept coming back to bite them.

Defensive Misread Opens the Door for Aaron Judge

In the fifth inning, outfielder Jarren Duran misread a sharp liner from Aaron Judge. Instead of getting in front of the ball, he hesitated, and the ball dropped, letting a run score.

Duran admitted the mistake stung. He said his misjudgment “gave them momentum” and put the game on his shoulders.

Missed Offensive Opportunities Hurt Momentum

The Red Sox didn’t just fumble in the field. Their bats couldn’t come through in big moments, either.

In the playoffs, every out feels huge. Small mistakes can spiral fast.

Failed Sacrifice Bunt in the Seventh

In the seventh, with two on and nobody out, Ceddanne Rafaela had a shot to move the runners and spark a rally. Instead, his bunt popped up weakly for an out, killing the vibe.

Cora dodged questions about whether he called the bunt from the dugout. Rafaela slipped out quietly—a telling silence after a blown chance.

Run Left on the Table

Later, Nate Eaton stood on second but didn’t try to score on an infield single from Masataka Yoshida. Some fans thought he should’ve gone for it, but others figured the risk was too high.

Either way, it was another moment where hesitation seemed to define Boston’s night.

Facing Elimination with a Rookie on the Mound

After dropping Game 2, the Red Sox now have to win or go home in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. Their starter? Rookie lefty Connelly Early, and he’s only made four big-league starts.

Bullpen Strain Could Be a Factor

Cora worked the bullpen hard in Game 2, so a few relievers might be running on fumes. That decision to go to the pen early could haunt Boston if Early gets into trouble.

It puts even more pressure on the rookie to handle the moment.

Recurring Issues at the Worst Possible Time

It’s got to be maddening for Red Sox fans—these mental lapses and shaky execution just keep popping up. The team has had flashes of brilliance, but the same old mistakes keep coming back.

In the playoffs, every blunder gets magnified. Game 2 just piled on the evidence.

Three Defining Moments of Game 2

• Duran’s misread on Judge’s liner gave the Yankees a key run.
• Rafaela’s failed bunt attempt with runners in scoring position.
• Eaton’s hesitation to score on Yoshida’s infield single.

What Boston Must Do to Survive Game 3

To keep their season alive, the Red Sox have to play clean baseball. Every scoring chance matters—no room for wasted at-bats or sloppy mistakes.

Connelly Early, despite his limited experience, has to step up in a big way. The offense should focus on smart situational hitting instead of always swinging for the fences.

On defense, they need to communicate clearly and play with confidence. Hesitation just isn’t an option right now.

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Here is the source article for this story: Where do Red Sox lay blame for Game 2 loss? Start with forgetting how to play baseball