Ben Rice capped the New York Yankees’ five-run eighth inning with a two-run single during a three-RBI night as New York evened the season series against the visiting Boston Red Sox with a 9-2 victory in the second game of a split doubleheader on Saturday.
Amed Rosario opened New York’s big inning with a run-scoring single, and Austin Wells added a two-run single. The Yankees had seven hits in the frame and 13 in the game, after totaling just seven across the first two games of the series.
New York took control during a three-run third inning off Brayan Bello (5-7) that began with an RBI knock from Rice. Luis Garcia Jr., who had three hits on the night, added a run-scoring fielder’s choice and Jazz Chisholm Jr. capped the third with a sacrifice fly.
Rookie Spencer Jones ended a 10-pitch plate appearance with a sacrifice fly in the sixth to account for the Yankees’ remaining offense.
With the win, New York evened the season series with Boston at six games apiece. The Yankees also moved three games ahead of the Red Sox for the American League’s top wild-card spot.
Starter Max Fried held the Red Sox to one run on three hits in 3 2/3 innings in his return from the injured list due to a bone bruise in his left elbow. The left-hander, who also spent two months on the IL earlier this season with the same injury, threw 39 of his 63 pitches for strikes.
Nick Sogard led off the third inning with a homer for Boston, which opened the doubleheader with a 6-0 win. Willson Contreras lined a triple to right field off reliever Brent Headrick in the eighth inning to plate the Red Sox’s other run.
Yerry De Los Santos allowed one hit in the inning he worked after Fried’s exit. Michael Fulmer secured the final out of the fifth after De Los Santos allowed a two-out single.
Fulmer then allowed the first two Red Sox to reach in the sixth before Paul Blackburn (7-2) entered to sit down the side in order.
Tim Hill pitched a scoreless seventh and Headrick stranded Contreras in the eighth before the Yankees pulled away in the bottom half of the frame.
Brendan Beck pitched a perfect ninth to close out New York’s win.
Boston opener Alec Gamboa faced five hitters and threw 18 pitches before making way for Bello, who took the loss after allowing four runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings.
George Lombard Jr. exited with right knee discomfort in the third inning. New York’s shortstop appeared to tweak his knee on a check swing in the second inning. The Yankees said Lombard would undergo imaging at New York-Presbyterian.