The Yankees committed four errors in Thursday night’s loss to the rival Red Sox, beginning a hyped and uber-important four-game series with a flop.
Three of those errors came in the second inning, leading to the first run of the game. The fourth error came in the ninth, allowing Boston to flip the lineup to Roman Anthony, who responded by crushing his first home run at Yankee Stadium, turning a 4-3 lead into a 6-3 cushion for the Sox.
The Yanks’ defensive troubles were the continuation of a troubling trend that stretches through the entire season so far. Yes, as Aaron Boone as hammered down when discussing mishaps in the field, the Yankees have been a relatively solid defensive group overall in 2025, but when facing off against the top competition in the division, the wheels fall off. Thursday was no exception.
Ben Rice airmailed a throw to second on a stolen base attempt with runners at the corners. Luis Gil couldn’t come up with a high chopper back to the mound. Jazz Chisholm missed a throw to first by a mile, one that would have been a double play. Paul Goldschmidt bobbled a transfer after fielding a charity hop between first and second. It was the third time this season that the Yanks have committed four errors or more in a single game, the most in baseball. One of those other times that the Yanks made four errors? July 23 against Toronto, when a tight 4-4 game turned into an 8-4 loss, allowing the Blue Jays to take the series.
This Red Sox series was seen as an opportunity for the Yankees to separate themselves from their rival for the top Wild Card spot, and make up more ground on the Blue Jays in the division. Instead, it was a return to form after a five-game winning streak had offered some promise that the worst was behind them. But as soon as one of their top AL East competitors come to town, the ball is kicked all over the field once again.
The Bombers are now 1-6 against the Red Sox in 2025, and 3-7 against the first-place Blue Jays. In those 10 games against Toronto, the Yankees have committed 12 errors, a self-inflicted wound that is awfully difficult to overcome. The Yankee defense has struggled to the tune of allowing 14 unearned runs against the Blue Jays and Red Sox combined this year, an absolute killer for a team looking to make up ground.
Game five of the World Series may have unfairly painted the Yankee defense as completely inept, but when it comes to facing teams like the Blue Jays and Red Sox, it’s hard to argue against that narrative. The Yanks have been awful at preventing mistakes when they need to be at their best, and Tuesday’s four error, nine walk disaster was the latest damning piece of evidence.