All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the Yankees, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Red Sox get relief: The Sox got just 3.2 innings from their starter Martin Perez, who didn't pitch badly in allowing three unearned runs to score in the second. But when Perez allowed hits to the first two hitters he faced in the fourth, Alex Cora determined it was time to go to the bullpen and get some better matchups against a Yankee lineup that was all-righthanded. In came a parade of righty relievers, all of whom stymied the New York offense. In all, four Red Sox relievers combined for 5.1 innings of scoreless ball with just three hits allowed. Matt Barnes had a test in the ninth when he allowed an infield single and a sharp single to left to the first two batters he faced. But he settled down and got the next three hitters he faced to post his 16th save.
Error big, but ultimately, not costly: In the second inning, the Sox were already up 3-0 when Xander Bogaerts fielded a grounder that should have resulted in an inning-ending double play. The inning continued for the Yankees, who pushed across three runs, all of them unearned. It was a rare misplay for Bogaerts, who while lacking great range, is ordinarily surehanded and fields whatever he gets to. Not this time. Then again, it was a continuation of ill-timed errors on the part of the Red Sox. On the just-completed eight-game road trip, they allowed 10 unearned runs. The error by Bogaerts stretched that total to 13 in the span of nine games, a pace that isn't sustainable.
Pedroia get closure: In a surprisingly emotional ceremony before the game, the Sox honored second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia, who officially announced his retirement during spring training, was feted for former and present teammates and spoke from the heart to the crowd. The Red Sox surprised him with a guest -- wrestler Ric Flair -- and with the news that they were waiving the usual waiting period and adding him to the team's Hall of Fame in 2022. Pedroia said the night succeeded in giving him closure. "My mind never got off of, 'You're still at the top of your game,''' said Pedroia, referring to his last healthy season of 2016, one of his best. "I was going to go for five or six more years. It was the worst type of injury in the worst spot in the knee. It was hard. That's why I didn't come around. I couldn't walk. I didn't want anyone to see me like that. I needed (tonight). My playing career just ended. I needed closure. It definitely felt like the itch I've had for a long time, it's gone away.''
TURNING POINT
At some point, it's worth asking why teams continue to run on Hunter Renfroe. The Yankees tried it and lived to regret it in the fourth inning. With Gio Urshela on second and Miguel Andujar at the plate, Andujar singled to right. Renfroe charged the ball and threw a strike in the air to the plate, cutting down Urshela and robbing the Yankees of any momentum they were building.
TWO UP
Christian Vazquez: Getting picked off and committing a throwing error against Tampa made for a bad night for the catcher Thursday, but he bounced back nicely with a walk and two singles, knocking in a big insurance run in the eighth.
Hunter Renfroe: In addition to a run-scoring double and a sacrifice fly, Renfroe threw yet another baserunner out at the plate to cap a fine overall night.
ONE DOWN:
Kike Hernandez: Even from the lower third of the batting order of late, Hernandez hasn't been able to supply much offense. He was 0-for-4 Friday with two strikeouts and two groundouts.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"That was a rough feeling for me right there. I'm the happiest guy that we won, to be honest. These guys picked me up big time.'' Xander Bogaerts.
* Red Sox pitchers have compiled a 2.85 ERA in the last six games.
* Hunter Renfroe recorded his 11th assist from the outfield this season and 23rd for the Boston outfield.
* Matt Barnes converted his 16th save in 19 chances
* In his last 15 appearances, Hirokazu Sawamura has compiled a 1.69 ERA.
* Since the opening series of the year, the Red Sox are 21-14.
UP NEXT
The two teams continue their series at 7:15 p.m. with Nathan Eovaldi (7-4, 3.90) vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery (3-1, 4.03).