In Game No. 162, the Yankees lost to the Red Sox — by a lot — at Fenway Park on Sunday.
BOSTON — It was a debacle and it didn’t matter.
The Yankees physically were at Fenway Park, playing their final game of the regular season, one that would have no affect on their postseason standing.
Mentally, they seemed already on the plane to New York City, ready for a couple days of rest before a game that could either end their year or start an October run toward the World Series.
The Red Sox whacked the Yankees, 10-2, in Game No. 162, with manager Aaron Boone writing a lineup that will look nothing like the one he’ll throw out against the A’s in the American League Wild Card Game, while using a handful of arms that won’t even be on the roster for it.
At least nobody got hurt?
Well, not quite. Starting pitcher Luis Cessa collided with ex-Yankee Eduardo Nunez trying to cover first base on a groundball and left with a right ankle injury in the first inning.
What it means
The Yankees finished the regular season 100-62, their first 100-win season since 2009. That’s also the last time they won the World Series.
On Wednesday, they will host their third Wild Card in four years. Last season, they beat the Twins. In 2015, they fell to the Astros.
Rest day
Giancarlo Stanton was initially in the lineup, hitting cleanup as the designated hitter, but just before first pitch, Boone pulled him in favor of Miguel Andujar. Stanton was given a day to rest, Boone said.
Shortstop Didi Gregorius, still rebounding from torn right wrist cartilage, was given the day off. So, too, was left fielder Andrew McCutchen. Luis Severino, who had been scheduled to start earlier in the week, didn’t even pitch.
Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks and Gary Sanchez each were removed mid-game.
Who should start in Wild Card Game?
What happened
It wasn’t particularly excited on the Yankees’ end.
Luke Voit stroked his 14th homer since joining the Yankees in a trade at the deadline, his two-run shot in the fourth inning making it 7-2 Red Sox.
Rookie reliever Stephen Tarpley pitched 1 2/3 innings, striking out four and walking a pair as he continues to make a run at the postseason bullpen as a lefty-on-lefty specialist.
Andujar doubled. It was his 47th of the season, a significant number. It tied him for the second-most doubles by a rookie ever, along with Ryan ZImmerman (2006), Albert Pujols (2001), Fred Lynn (1975) and Vada Pinson (1959).
Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.
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