Yankee Stadium’s lights pierce the summer dusk, fans like Jamal Carter slump in their seats, their pinstripe jerseys damp with disappointment, in the Bronx. The New York Yankees, fighting for a playoff spot, were defeated completely by the Boston Red Sox, ending Sunday with a 7-3 loss. The defeat, watched by 46,000 at the stadium, left fans reeling and the team’s postseason dreams gleaming. “It hurts to see them fall apart,” said Carter, a Harlem bartender, tossing his foam finger aside.

The Red Sox, led by Rafael Devers’ two home runs, outscored the Yankees 18-8 over the weekend, per MLB stats. New York’s pitching, once a strength, faltered, with ace Gerrit Cole allowing five runs in Game 2. Manager Aaron Boone called it a “tough stretch,” citing injuries to key players like Anthony Volpe, sidelined with a sprained ankle. The Yankees, now 42-39, trail the AL East-leading Red Sox by six games, with analysts like ESPN’s Jeff Passan doubting their wild-card chances.He said “They’re running out of time,”.

New York’s pain is compounded by broader pressures. Oil prices, up 12% to $90 a barrel due to Israel-Iran clashes killing 639 in Iran, per human rights groups, have hiked travel costs for fans and teams, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Tickets and gas are killing me,” said Maria Lopez, a Queens teacher who drove to the games. The city’s sports economy, generating $1.2 billion annually, faces strain, with concession prices up 5%, per Yankee Stadium vendors.

Fans are vocal but split. “We need a shake-up,” said Carter, eyeing roster changes. Others, like Bronx teen Sofia Ruiz, remain loyal. “They’ll bounce back,” she said, clutching a signed Aaron Judge ball. The team’s next series against the Mets offers a chance to regroup, but injuries and a tough schedule loom. Mayor Eric Adams, a Yankees fan, urged resilience, though his office is focused on budget woes, not sports.

What’s next? The Yankees face a grueling July, with 10 road games. Diplomacy easing Middle East tensions could lower oil prices, easing fan costs. Can the Yankees rally, slipping away? For now, as Carter heads home and Ruiz cheers on, the Bronx holds its breath, hoping for a comeback to restore its pride.