Writing Sample: Game Recap (after loss)

Cora’s all-out effort in Game Two backfires as Yankees even Wild Card series

Credit: Yiki Iwamura/Associated Press

By: Jack Lydon

Last update: 10/1/2025 @ 11:45 p.m. ET

BRONX – Brayan Bello came into Wednesday night with the best qualified ERA among opposing pitchers at Yankee Stadium. That did not last.

The Yankees rode momentum from an early home run by first baseman Ben Rice to chase Bello from the game, as they defeated the Red Sox in Game Two of the American League Wild Card series

When manager Alex Cora left the dugout in the third inning of Game Two to take Bello out of the game, he said nothing to the 26-year-old, who admittedly was surprised at the early hook. Bello said, “I felt good with all my pitches.”

Cora and pitching coach Andrew Bailey did not see it the same way, though.

“It’s a cutter that ends up down-middle rather than backdoor,” said Bailey on the home run given up to Rice. “Location has regressed a little bit, and that kind of ebbs and flows throughout the season. I think Alex saw the same thing and wanted to make a move.”

Bello finished his playoff debut only throwing twenty-eight pitches, a career-low for him.

“I don’t feel disappointed about myself,” Bello explained. “I feel like I tried to do my job, and he made a decision to take me out.”

When he exited, the game was tied at two, after Trevor Story laced a 2-RBI single into center field off Yankees starter Carlos Rodon.

The score would stay that way until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Aaron Judge hit a line drive that deflected off outfielder Jarren Duran’s glove, allowing a run to score to give New York the lead back.

“I was playing pretty deep on Judge, and as I was coming in, I thought it was hit a little harder,” said Duran. “Kind of really got up on me. It’s on me.”

Boston would waste no time in fighting back, tying the game with a leadoff solo home run in the top of the sixth inning from Story.

In the top of the seventh inning, Boston would strand two runners on base, who both reached to lead off the inning.

As the Yankees found out in Game One, missed opportunities in baseball usually are not forgiven. Wednesday night, the Red Sox learned the same lesson.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Yankees catcher Austin Wells blooped a double down the right field line off of Garrett Whitlock, scoring Jazz Chisholm Jr. from first base.

Yankees closer David Bednar would strike out the side in the ninth inning, forcing a do-or-die Game Three on Thursday.

Teams are 13-0 when winning the first game of the series since MLB shifted the Wild Card to a three-game series in 2022, and history will be on the line on Thursday.

The Red Sox will start rookie southpaw Connelly Early, who will become the first pitcher to start a winner-take-all postseason game within thirty days of his Major League debut.

New York will counter with another rookie, righty Cam Schlittler, who has boasted a 2.96 ERA in 73 innings this season.

First pitch is at 8:08 p.m. in The Bronx, New York on Thursday night.