NEW YORK -- The Yankees' bats went silent in the clutch, and they missed an opportunity to move closer to clinching a wild-card spot.
Even after a 5-1 loss to the Red Sox, though, the Yankees still have control of their potential playoff berth. Here are the latest AL East and wild-card standings.
It was going so well: Ivan Nova pitched five scoreless innings and, it appeared, was well on his way to his second consecutive strong start. Then he gave up two-run homers in both the sixth and seventh innings. His final line was seven innings and four runs (all earned) on seven hits. He struck out seven and walked two. It is still an improvement since Nova's demotion from the rotation, but it was not good enough.
Sixth sense: Nova wasn't exactly cruising, but he did not yield any runs until the sixth. He allowed runners to reach scoring position in each of the first three innings, but none came around. However, in the sixth, the Red Sox finally got to him. Xander Bogaerts hit a two-out double before Travis Shaw nailed a two-run homer to give the Sox a 2-1 lead.
Seventh not heaven: In the seventh, the Red Sox struck again, as Jackie Bradley Jr. went the other way for a two-run homer that just sneaked over the left-field wall.
Ells of a start: Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a double, moved over on a Brett Gardner sacrifice bunt and scored on an Alex Rodriguez's sacrifice fly.
Swing and a fall: With two outs and the bases loaded in the second, Rodriguez swung from his heels and struck out on a 3-2, 96 mph fastball. A-Rod swung so hard he landed off his feet.
Insurance: Deven Marrero hit his first career home run off Caleb Cotham in the ninth for the Red Sox.
Ninth try: The Yankees put the first two men on to begin the ninth. John Ryan Murphy doubled, and Didi Gregorius walked against lefty Robbie Ross Jr. Then Rob Refsnyder just missed hitting into a double play on a grounder to third, Ellsbury flew out and Gardner struck out.
Working it: Nova threw seven innings, but Joe Girardi still managed to use five relievers.
On deck: The Yankees and Red Sox go at it again Tuesday, with Michael Pineda (12-8, 3.99) facing Rick Porcello (8-14, 5.04). On Wednesday, it will be Masahiro Tanaka (12-7, 3.38) vs. Wade Miley (11-11, 4.39). On Thursday, it will be CC Sabathia (5-10, 4.82) vs. Rich Hill (2-0, 1.17).