Jhony Brito shelled in Yankees’ lifeless loss to Red Sox as season hits new low

The first sounds heard were groans. As the Red Sox began to hit Jhony Brito, a here-we-go-again, collective sigh spread around Yankee Stadium. 

Next came the boos as the game became a blowout minutes after it started Friday night.

The loudest early cheer was a mock round of applause when the Yankees finally recorded an out. 

The sound most often heard, though, was the most telling. It was not the passion of cheers, which finally arrived when offensive threats showed up too late.

Or the passion of jeers, which came and went. The soundtrack that dominated the night was the quiet of resignation that filled the Stadium, 44,566 fans accepting what the Yankees, publicly at least, have not: This season seems gone before September, much less October, has arrived. 

The Yankees might not have waved the white flag, as the Mets did at the trade deadline, but their whiffing bats might as well have had pale flags affixed to them. 

Jhony Brito is pulled during the Yankees’ loss to the Red Sox on Aug. 18. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post

In a season of rock bottoms, the Yankees dug a bit deeper when they were dusted, 8-3, by the Red Sox, losing a season-worst sixth straight game — and dropping a season-worst two games under .500.

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The Yankees are seven games back of an AL wild-card spot. 

“It’s frustrating and disappointing,” manager Aaron Boone said of his 60-62 club. “You got to do all you can to not succumb to that [frustration] and do your best to come in and fix it every day.” 

The Yankees came home from a nightmare trip through Chicago, Miami and Atlanta and did not wake up until late in the game.

They were down 4-0 after one inning and 7-0 after two, and they only showed a sign of life with a two-run home run from Aaron Judge in the eighth inning.

Their first two batters reached base in the ninth, but the Yankees left them stranded. 

There have been seasons in which, after falling into an early ditch in a game, the Yankees’ offense went to work, mounted a few rallies and made the game at least competitive.

This is not one of those seasons. The Yankees have scored a total of six runs in their past four games. 

“We know we haven’t played near our potential the entire year,” said Anthony Volpe, a rare bright spot who went 2-for-4 with a double and run scored. “So the fact that we still trust and believe in each other and know that we’ve got another gear to get to — every day just working to try and do that.” 

Jhony Brito reacts during the Yankees’ loss to the Red Sox on Aug. 18. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post

The latest letdown started with issues, both technical and otherwise.

Brito and Ben Rortvedt could not get on the same page in the first inning because they found out shortly before first pitch that Boston’s PitchCom was not working.

For the sake of fairness, MLB did not allow either team to use the device. 

“Interesting timing,” said Boone, and both he and Rortvedt alluded to the difficulties of abruptly learning they would need to use finger signals. 

Justin Turner hits a single during the Red Sox’s win over the Yankees on Aug. 18. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post

In between meetings on the mound to discuss pitch signals, Brito was battered.

The Red Sox were up, 4-0, after four batters, the last of which, Masataka Yoshida, smacked a three-run home run on his first pitch from Brito after a lengthy PitchCom delay. 

Boston scored three more runs in the second, on an error and four straight singles.

Masataka Yoshida hits a three-run homer during the Red Sox’s win over the Yankees on Aug. 18. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post Masataka Yoshida rounds the bases after homering in the Red Sox’s win over the Yankees on Aug. 18. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post

The rally began when Pablo Reyes hit a one-hopper to Gleyber Torres at second base.

Torres made a nice play to stop the ball, but then fumbled it behind him while trying to deliver the throw to first. Four singles later, the Yankees were down, 7-0. 

“I don’t think it’s on the pitcher,” said Torres, who also grounded into his seventh double play in his past eight games. “I think it’s overall as a team, we have to play better.” 

Masataka Yoshida (#7) celebrates with teammates during the Red Sox’s win over the Yankees on Aug. 18. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post

The Yankees’ bullpen kept them afloat, led by a career-high 3 ²/₃ scoreless innings from Ian Hamilton. 

But an offense that scattered 10 hits against Brayan Bello, who went six innings, and Boston’s bullpen sunk them a bit further. 

Boone said this stretch will “reveal a lot about us,” and the players insisted they still have faith. 

“It’s not upbeat. We’re not dancing around,” Rortvedt said of the attitude in the clubhouse. “I’d say that all of us come in ready to work. We’re all super dialed in, we’re just waiting to turn this around.” 

If they truly believe, they are among the last ones.