The Red Sox will go into the All-Star Break with a sour taste in their mouths.
On Sunday night, they lost to the Yankees -- the third loss of the four-game series -- 7-3. The loss not only put them 9.5 games behind of the AL East-leading Yanks, but dropped the club to 43-43 on the year, tied for last place in the AL East with the Blue Jays.
Once again, the Yankees jumped out on top scoring two runs in the first inning. It was the 13th and 14th runs scored in the first inning of the series, and put the Sox in an all too familiar position in trying to play catch-up.
An RBI double by David Ortiz in the third inning made it 3-2 Yankees, but that would be as close as the Sox would get.
Alex Rodriguez tripled in a run in the 5th, and Andruw Jones hit Rodriguez in shortly after.
The fifth inning would also be the last for Jon Lester, who was pulled with one out having given up five runs (four earned), nine hits, and two walks while striking out six.
Jones struck again in the 7th with his fourth home run of the series, stretching the Yankees lead to 7-2.
Boston Red Sox
Mike Aviles would double in Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the 8th, but that would be it for the Red Sox' failed comeback attempt.
The Yankees' Ivan Nova got the win going six innings giving up two runs (one earned), six hits, and two walks, while striking out ten.