Red Sox nearly had a catch-of-the year contender — before it landed for Yankees homer

BOSTON — What might have been the catch of the year instead merely became an Oswaldo Cabrera home run.

In the top of the second inning of an eventful game at Fenway Park on Saturday, Cabrera turned on a Kutter Crawford fastball and sent it to deep right field.

Boston’s Wilyer Abreu sprinted back, slowed at the warning track and leaped, his momentum taking him over the short wall and tumbling into the seats.

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Abreu caught the ball — until he didn’t.

The ball sat in his glove but did not, in football terms, survive the ground.

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Abreu was upturned and the ball fell out of his glove, giving the Yankees a 4-3 lead at the time and giving Boston a scare.

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The Red Sox checked on Abreu for a few minutes after a play that could have ended worse — his back and neck might been in trouble if he landed differently — but the 25-year-old remained in the game.

The Yankees ended up scoring a thrilling 11-8 comeback victory in 10 innings in a game that saw many other twists, turns and lead changes after the almost thrilling catch that wasn’t.

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