BOSTON– Carlos Rodón pitched in the seventh inning, Gleyber Torres hit a two-run single in New York’s first three runs and the Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 8-2 on Sunday night to win a series for the second time in the last 12 tries.
New York won the final two games of the three-game set against its longtime rival after blowing a lead in Friday night’s opener. It was the Yankees’ first series win against Boston in three tries this season.
“It’s a gutsy series win, especially after the first game,” coach Aaron Boone said. “We’re not exactly where we want to be right now, of course. There’s a lot of fighting (in that locker room).
New York is 12-23 after opening 50-22.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. batted fifth, going 1 for 5 with a single, and played center field in his Yankees debut after they acquired him from Miami for three minor leaguers on Saturday. He also stole a base and scored late.
“I was super excited,” he said. “Every kid dreams of being a Yankee, it’s the most famous team in baseball.”
Rob Refsnyder and Connor Wong opened the fourth with back-to-back homers for the Red Sox, who have lost seven of nine since the All-Star break.
“I don’t think nine games dictate who we are,” said coach Alex Cora.
Aaron Judge had an RBI single for the Yankees after striking out a career-high six times in their 11-8, 10-inning comeback win on Saturday. He was honored in each of the first two games of the series.
Rodón (11-7) gave up two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking one. He has held opponents to three or fewer runs in 17 of 22 starts this year.
“The offense started with three runs,” Rodón said, “it was a great way to come out, three runs early and just pitch with a lead and attack the zone.”
Oswaldo Cabrera added a two-run double that led off former Yankees reliever Greg Weissert in the eighth.
For the second day in a row, the Yankees jumped out with three runs in the first.
But unlike the first two games of the series, when the teams combined for 35 runs and leads were squandered late, they managed to hold on.
Alex Verdugo opened the game with a double off All-Star Tanner Houck (8-7) and scored on Judge’s single inside first base. Austin Wells hit a double before Torres singled to right.
“I would say my work lately hasn’t been as good as I would like,” Houck said. “When that happens, what matters is execution. I didn’t execute that well, but I fought.”
New York leads the majors with 78 runs in the first inning and is 42-15 when scoring first.
Houck gave up four runs – three earned – in six innings.
Refsnyder and Wong took the Green Monster seats to cut the score to 4-2, but Rodón left Rafael Devers at third after tripling with no outs.
Danny Jansen was the Red Sox’ designated hitter, one day after they acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays for three minor leaguers. He had two singles and a walk.
“That part is cool, right there, thrown in right there to compete with my new teammates,” he said before the game.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Yankees: Boone said slugger Giancarlo Stanton is in line to be activated from the injured list Monday in Philadelphia. Stanton hasn’t played since straining his left hamstring while running the bases on June 22. … OF Jasson Domínguez went 1-for-5 with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in his second game back from an oblique injury. He also went 1-for-5 on Friday, serving as DH in both games. … Chisholm slipped on the bag at second and his face hit the back of Boston second baseman Romy Gonzalez, but Chisholm remained in the game.
Red Sox: Cora said 1B Triston Casas will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Worcester. He has been sidelined since mid-April due to a rib strain.
NEXT
Yankees: RHP Luis Gil (10-5, 3.10 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series at Philadelphia on Monday. RHP Zack Wheeler (10-4, 2.55) goes to the Phillies.
Red Sox: RHP Nick Pivetta (4-7, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled to start the first of three against Seattle at Fenway Park on Monday. RHP Logan Gilbert (6-6, 2.72) is the Mariners’ scheduled starter.
___
This story originally appeared on ABCNews.go.com read the full story
