BOSTON — The Yankees had a chance to bury the Red Sox in the standings this month, facing their division rival in back-to-back weeks. They had a 9 1/2-game lead on the Red Sox on June 5, the day before their series at Yankee Stadium last week.

As a result, the Yankees took a 2-0 loss to the Red Sox Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park to complete a three-game sweep at the hands of their rivals. It is the first time they have been swept in a series this season.

Facing the Red Sox (37-36) on back-to-back weekends, the Yankees (42-28) dropped five of six and seemingly gave life to their rival’s season. In The Bronx, it was their pitching that failed them. At Fenway, it was their lifeless bats, plus a costly baserunning miscue in each of the past two games.