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The New York Yankees face a challenging path in the Major League Baseball playoffs after losing 3-1 to the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the American League Wild Card Series on Tuesday night in the Bronx. The Yankees had a promising opportunity in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and no outs, but they failed to capitalize, allowing the Red Sox to secure the victory.
The game started with potential for the Yankees as Anthony Volpe hit a solo home run in the second inning, giving New York an early lead. Ace Max Fried made the lone run stand up for six and a third scoreless innings. However, the Red Sox responded in the seventh inning with a two-run single by Masataka Yoshida, turning the tide in their favor. Alex Bregman added an insurance run for Boston with an RBI double in the ninth inning.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism despite the loss, saying, "Tonight was a great baseball game that we just couldn't get that final punch in. We'll be ready to go, and I expect us to come out and get one [in Game 2]." The Yankees will need to win the next two games to avoid elimination, as MLB.com reports that teams winning Game 1 in best-of-three Wild Card Series have historically advanced 90% of the time.
The Red Sox will aim to clinch their spot in the American League Division Series with another win in Game Two, which is set to begin at 6:08 p.m. ET tonight at Yankee Stadium.