Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Background: The New York Yankees (12-6) came into Friday night’s game fresh off a two-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium, improving their record to 6-0 at home. The Boston Red Sox (6-13) came into the Bronx off a four-game losing streak and were looking to find a win. Gerrit Cole was set to make his fifth start as a Yankee against Colten Brewer.
Before the game, Aaron Judge was placed on the 10-day IL with a mild calf strain that was considered to be a Grade 1 or less. The Yankees recalled Thairo Estrada to replace the right fielder.
The game: The Yankees held the first opportunity to score in the bottom of the first with the bases loaded but failed to pass any runs over the plate after Mike Tauchman struck out to end the inning.
It did not take the Bronx Bombers long to score runs, as Gleyber Torres knocked a two-run double to right field to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third.
Alex Verdugo, whom the Red Sox acquired in the Mookie Betts trade, hit a solo home run to right field to cut the Red Sox’ deficit in half in the top of the fourth for his fourth homer of the season. The Red Sox would get runners on second and third in the top of the fifth but failed to get any more to cross the plate.
The Yankee offense came alive in the bottom of the fifth after Torres scored on a Tauchman double, giving the Yankees a 3-1 lead. Gary Sanchez then hit a 457 ft. shot to the left-center field bleachers, increasing the Yankees’ lead to four runs.
Two innings later the Yankee offense continued to pound the Boston bullpen with several softly hit balls. Gio Urshela started it off with an infield single, followed by Torres’ bloop to center field and Tauchman’s RBI single to left-center field to make the score 6-1. Clint Frazier then added to the offense with a two-run double to extend the Yankee lead to 8-1.
Jonathan Holder came on in relief of Cole to begin the eighth, whose night ended with seven innings pitched, four hits, one run, eight strikeouts and no walked batters.
The Red Sox were able to strike for a couple more runs with a fielder’s choice RBI from Verdugo and an RBI single from Rafael Devers, each belonging to Holder. Adam Ottavino was brought in and struck out J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts on six total pitches.
The Yankees were determined to score more runs in the bottom of the eighth and loaded the bases once again for Tauchman, who slapped a two-run single into left field to give the Yankees a 10-3 lead.
Ben Heller would be called upon to get the final three outs, which he was successful in doing after allowing a single to Mitch Moreland.
Who’s hot?: Several players could get the nod here, but Torres is going to be the winner. He went 4-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored and is finally beginning to resemble his old self at the plate.
Who’s not?: Brett Gardner continues to struggle at the plate, getting only one hit in his last 17 at-bats. It is possible with Frazier up that he could sit a game before the end of this series.
What’s next: Tonight’s game will be nationally televised on FOX and is scheduled for a 7:07 PM EST first pitch. Nathan Eovaldi is slated to start against James Paxton in hopes to end the Red Sox’ losing streak at five and split the series going into Sunday. Paxton will be looking for his first win and second quality start in a row after struggling to begin the season.
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