Facing the Red Sox (37-36) on back-to-back weekends, the Yankees (42-28) dropped five of six and seemingly gave life to their rival’s season. In The Bronx, it was their pitching that failed them. At Fenway, it was their lifeless bats, plus a costly baserunning miscue in each of the past two games.

The Yankees (42-28), who entered the series off a three-game sweep of the Royals in Kansas City, were held to five hits on Sunday and have totaled five runs in their last four games. They have helped give life to the Red Sox (37-36), who have won eight of their last 10, including the last five against the Yankees.