Carlos Rodón pitched into the seventh inning, and Gleyber Torres hit a two-run single in New York’s three-run first inning as the Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 8-2 on Sunday night. This win allowed the Yankees to take a series for just the second time in their last 12 attempts.
New York won the last two games of the three-game series against their longtime rivals after losing a late lead in the opener on Friday night. It was the Yankees’ first series win against Boston out of three tries this season.
“It’s a gritty series win, especially after that first game,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We’re not all the way where we want to be right now, of course. There’s a lot of fight in (that locker room).”
New York is 12-23 after starting the season with a record of 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 in the game.
“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 hit consecutive homers for the Red Sox in the fourth inning. The Red Sox have lost seven of their last nine games since the All-Star break.
“I don’t think a stretch of nine games dictates who we are,” manager Alex Cora said.
Aaron Judge had an RBI single for the Yankees after reaching base a career-high six times in their 11-8, 10-inning comeback win on Saturday. He also homered 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 kept the opponent to three or fewer runs in 17 of 22 starts this year.
“The offense starting out with three runs,” Rodón said, “that was a big way to show up, three early runs and just pitch with a lead and attack the zone.”
