Down to the final out in the ninth, the Red Sox rallied for three runs to force extra innings, then won it in the 10th when Andrew Benintendi drove a single up the middle, to score pinch-runner Tony Renda for a thrilling 5-4 comeback win and a sweep of the Yankees.
The Sox had led 1-0 after six thanks to six shutout innings by David Price. But the Yankees scored four times in the seventh — two off on a Xander Bogaerts error — to take what seemed a commanding lead.
However, the Sox took advantage of wildness on the part of Aroldis Chapman to score three in the ninth — two coming from an RBI single from J.D. Martinez and the tying run on a throwing error by Miguel Andujar — then beat Jonathan Holder in the 10th to push the Yankees 9.5 games back.
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
12:32 What an inning. Aroldis Chapman walks the bases loaded, then serves up a two-run single to J.D. Martinez, and on a throwing error by Miguel Andujar, pinch-runner Jackie Bradley Jr. scores all the way from second base. Tied, headed for extras.
10:55 Hembree walks Shane Robinson, who was trying to give up an out. loading the bases.
10:47 Alex Cora has left himself open to some second-guessing with his decision to let Price go back out to start the 7th after 95 pitches. Price allowed a sharp single to RF and a walk, and now leaves a first-and-second jam for Heath Hembree.
10:24 Presumably, this will be Price's last inning as he's nearing 90 pitches. The final three innings will be a huge test for the Sox bullpen.
9:23 Tanaka has had his way with the Nos. 3 and 4 hitters in the Red Sox lineup - Pearce and J.D. Martinez. Four plate appearances, four strikeouts and some funky swings at pitches out of the strike zone.
8:45 Yankees catch a break in that inning as what should have been ball four to Eduardo Nunez is instead called a strike by home plate umpire Chris Conroy. On that same pitch, Xander Bogaerts was thrown out trying to steal. On the next pitch, Nunez beat out an infield hit. Who knows how the tenor of that inning was changed?
8:30 Steve Pearce is in the lineup tonight because of his history (5-for-15, two homers) with Masahiro Tanaka, but Tanaka tied Pearce up with a splitter down-and-in on that swinging strike.
8:21 David Price gets out of a bases-loaded jam by getting rookie Luke Voit on a weak tapper back to the mound. He threw 20 pitches in the first and wasn't exactly sharp, but escapes without any damage.
WHO: Red Sox vs. New York Yankees
WHEN: 8:05 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
WHAT'S UP: The Sox have won the first three game of this series, and done so in convincing fashion. Their 8.5 game lead is their largest of the season, and they could go a long way to securing the division title with a win tonight in the series finale. A win would put the Sox up by eight in the loss column with less than two months to go - a formidable lead, indeed. The Yankees, meanwhile, are reeling, having lost four straight and are under .500 since the teams last met on July 1.
STARTING PITCHERS: LHP David Price (11-6, 3.97) vs. RHP Masahiro Tanaka (9-2, 3.84).
TV/RADIO: ESPN/WEEI 93.7 FM
LINEUPS
RED SOX
Betts CF
Benintendi LF
Pearce DH
Martinez RF
Bogaerts SS
Moreland 1B
Nunez 3B
Holt 2B
Leon C
YANKEES
Hicks CF
Stanton DH
Gregorius SS
Torres 2B
Andujar 3B
Voit 1B
Gardner LF
Romine C
Robinson RF
NEWS AND NOTES
- Chris Sale's return to the rotation has been delayed for at least a bit. The Red Sox had been hopeful that when they placed Sale on the DL last week with left shoulder inflammation that he would only miss one start, with the idea that he would pitch Wednesday, the middle game of their series in Toronto. But earlier Sunday evening, the Sox sent out their starters for the series, Sale was noticeably absent. The Sox have Drew Pomeranz planned for Tuesday, followed by Brian Johnson Wednesday and Rick Porcello Thursday. There was no further update on Sale's condition, but check back post-game for updated information.
- Eduardo Rodriguez threw a bullpen Sunday afternoon, throwing somewhere between 25-30 pitches, with Rafael Devers standing in at the plate and tracking the pitches. "I felt really good,'' said Rodriguez. "My ankle is really good. Felt fine throwing on the mound today. I threw all of my pitches -- changeup, slider and everything.'' Rodriguez followed his session with some light jogging and PFP (pitcher's fielding practice) and will wait to see what the training staff has lineup up next for him. "I have to follow the plan,'' he said. Alex Cora termed the bullpen "impressive. That was good to see. I don't know what's next, but to see him on the mound (was encouraging).''
- Devers was scheduled to take batting practice and a workout as he comes back from a hamstring strain. The tentative plan was to have him go to Lowell Monday, where he would play six or so innings, then join the Red Sox in Toronto Tuesday. He's eligible to come off the DL Wednesday.
- Rodriguez will remain in Boston with three others on the DL - Ian Kinsler, Blake Swihart and Steven Wright.