Prior to tonight’s game the Yankees put right fielder Aaron Judge on the IL with a right calf strain. That makes both pairs of sluggers, Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, on the IL for the same issue.
Gerrit Cole making the start for the Yankees and quickly puts Boston down in order in the top of the first. Yankees threaten in the bottom of the inning, leading the bases before Mike Tauchman strikes out. They score first in the third with a double by Gleyber Torres deep to right, allowing two runs to score. A home run off Cole in the fourth by Alex Verdugo cuts the deficit in half for the Red Sox. 2-1 Yankees.
The Yankees go on a scoring tear over the next few innings including a 457 foot blast by Gary Sanchez to the left field bleachers in the fifth. By the end of the seventh, New York leads 8-1.
Boston battles back in the eighth as Gerrit Cole is replaced by Jonathan Holder. Holder walks his first two batters before a single loads the bases. Yankees gets an out, but a run scores, followed by another the next at bat. With one out and the score 8-3, Adam Ottavino comes in and strikes out the next two batters to end the threat. Yankees add on, gaining back their 7 run lead.
Final score, 10-3 Yankees.
Both teams play again Saturday.
