BOSTON – – The Yankees sticks have been some of the hottest majors lately. They came across a Red Sox enclosure who found ways to calm them down.
Hunter Renfroe had two RBIs, including a go-ahead sacrifice volley in the third inning, and the Boston pitchers held New York scoreless for the last seven innings to help post a 5-3 win on Friday night.
It was Boston’s fourth straight victory over its rival, a streak that began with a three-game sweep in New York City earlier in the month. Boston opened the three-game series in second-place AL East, 3-1 / 2 games ahead of third-place New York.
The announced attendance of 36,869 on a night the Red Sox honored retired second baseman Dustin Pedroia was the first sold-out sale of the season since Fenway returned to full capacity on May 29 for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
“The fact that we ended up with one. The 6-4-3 double play was meant to be, ”Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.
New York reliever Zack Britton came out of the game in the eighth inning with a left hamstring injury. Manager Aaron Boone has said he expects a better prognosis on Saturday.
Boston starter Martín Pérez allowed six hits and three runs in 3 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out three before being replaced by Hirokazu Sawamura.
Sawamura pitched 1 1/3 innings scoreless, giving way to Garrett Whitlock (3-1) in the sixth, who took the win after not allowing any runs and a hit over two innings. Adam Ottavino threw a scoreless eighth, handing it to Matt Barnes.
Barnes allowed two hits in the ninth, but struck out Clint Frazier and allowed DJ LeMahieu to strike in a game-ending double play to recover his 16th save on 19 occasions.
“There is not just one player who wins the game. I think everyone is putting everything in place to win it. That’s what we did tonight, ”Pérez said.
Yankees hitters Aaron Judge, Gary Sánchez and Giancarlo Stanton combined to go 1 for 10. LeMahieu is 15 for 28 (.536) with 34 RBIs for the Yankees with bases loaded.
New York’s Domingo Germán (4-5) pitched four innings, giving five hits and all four runs while stripping out three strikes and walking one to take the loss.
“He missed a few more points with his fast pitch,” said Boone. “Obviously a bit of a rough start for him.”
Boston bats started early.
Bogaerts gave the Red Sox a 2-0 lead in Game 1 with a two-point brace down midfield. He then scored Hunter Renfroe’s brace in left field.
The Yankees recovered all points in the second period, thanks to a faltering defense from Boston. Giancarlo Stanton started off with a walk, followed by the single from Luke Voit. With a withdrawal, Gia Urshela reached on a Bogaerts error, charging the bases.
Miguel Andújar pulled out strikes, but Pérez made Clint Frazier walk to put the Yankees on the scoreboard. DJ LeMahieu then tied it with a two-run single.
CORNER K
RHP Esteban Loaisiga became the third Yankees pitcher to strike four in an inning when he did so in the seventh, joining AJ Burnett in the sixth against Colorado on June 24, 2011 and Phil Hughes against Toronto in the fourth on September 31, 2011 20, 2012. Michael Chavis reached over wild terrain as he shot for strikes, and Alex Verdugo, JD Martinez and Xander Bogaerts deployed in order.
HE IS OUTSIDE
Urshela narrowly avoided being eliminated as he slipped to second on his starting brace in the fourth set.
He wasn’t so lucky just one pitch later when Miguel Andújar sent a single to right field and Urshela was easily sent off at home by Renfroe.
It was the 11th assist from Renfroe, who leads the majors. It was the 15th time the Yankees have made a home putout this season and the 33rd time a runner has earned a basics total. Both are the best in the majors.
TRAINERS ‘ROOM
Yankees: Britton came out with a putout in the eighth after throwing a dirt pitch at Renfroe. He was replaced by Luis Cessa. … Boone said RHP Corey Kluber (right shoulder strain) throws at 75 feet but is not yet ready to extend beyond. … Boone said RHP Luis Severino, who returned from Tommy John surgery was interrupted by right hamstring strain, ran and thrown. It could possibly throw a mound in the next 5-10 days.
Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale (Tommy John surgery) is set to face batters in live batting practice on Saturday, Cora said. The sale will launch 20 locations. He’s scheduled for another batting practice next week.
FOLLOWING
Yankees: Southpaw Jordan Montgomery (3-1, 4.03 ERA) is expected to make his 15th start of the season. New York is 11-3 in its 14 previous starts.
Red Sox: Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (7-4, 3.90) leads Boston in wins and has played five or more innings in 13 of their last 15 starts.
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