Koji’s last stand: Uehara blows another save; Red Sox lose to Yankees
That might be it for Koji Uehara.
The veteran Red Sox closer (6-5) logged his fifth blown save of the season and took the loss as Mark Teixeira and Chase Headley went yard in the ninth to send the Yankees to a 5-4, come from behind victory over the Red Sox at The House that Steinbrenner Built on Thursday night.
Uehara has now surrendered ten runs in his last six appearances, with three losses and three blown saves during that span. The speculation is that the right-hander will be shut down for the season after manager John Farrell ran him ragged over the course of a losing season, including pitching the 39-year old on three consecutive days multiple times and in numerous situations when the Red Sox were trailing.
“I have nothing to say. It’s all my fault,” Uehara told the Japanese media following the contest.
Things got off to a promising start when David Ortiz clubbed his 31st home run of the season off Yankees starter Chris Capuano in the first inning, then returned for a second helping in the third, getting his 32nd on a blast that scored Mookie Betts for a 3-0 Red Sox lead.
Brock Holt also added a home run, his fourth of the year, to cap the Red Sox scoring in the fifth inning.
The Yankees got their runs on a two-run double by Derek Jeter and RBI single by Carlos Beltran that scored Jeter in the third. Following Holt’s dinger, the game was stuck at 4-3 until Uehara’s ninth inning meltdown.
The Red Sox coaxed six effective innings out of Brandon Workman, who allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks, striking out five. Adam Warren (3-5) earned the win for the Bombers with a clean ninth inning.
Boston tries to get back on the horse against the Blue Jays Friday night, with Allen Webster (3-3, 6.69) facing Drew Hutchison (9-11, 4.47).