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FINAL: Yankees 4, Red Sox 1 - Rafaela homers but offense sputters as New York sweeps doubleheader
The Yankees pulled away from the Red Sox in the top of the ninth in another low-scoring slog, scratching a pair of insurance runs across for the 4-1 final in the nightcap of Tuesday's doubleheader. With the win, New York swept the doubleheader and moved into a tie with Boston in the basement of the American League East. Ceddanne Rafaela picked up his first career home run, blasting the first pitch of the bottom of the first over the Monster to open the scoring. After tying the game in the top of the fifth, the Yankees took a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth, cashing in with a bases-loaded force out. Boston was 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position, stranding 12 in total and six in scoring position with two outs.
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WHO: Red Sox (73-71) vs. Yankees (72-72)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: New York leads, 1-0. Red Sox lead season series, 8-2.
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Kutter Crawford (6-7, 4.36) vs. LHP Carlos Rodon (2-5, 6.60)
TV/RADIO: NESN, TBS, WEEI-FM 93.7
LINEUP
RED SOX
1. Ceddanne Rafaela CF
2. Rob Refsnyder LF
3.Justin Turner DH
4. Triston Casas 1B
5. Adam Duvall RF
6. Trevor Story SS
7. Pablo Reyes 2B
8. Luis Urias 3B
9. Connor Wong
SP Kutter Crawford
YANKEES
1. Estevan Florial CF
2. Aaron Judge DH
3. Gleyber Torres 2B
4. Austin Wells C
5. Isiah Kiner-Falefa 3B
6. Jake Bauers 1B
7. Oswald Peraza SS
8. Oswaldo Cabrera RF
9. Everson Pereira
SP Carlos Rodon
WHAT'S UP
The Red Sox are looking to bounce back after dropping the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader as their rally fizzled out in the bottom of the ninth. Boston had a golden opportunity to walk it off with the bases loaded, down 3-2, in the bottom of the ninth inning after three straight walks for Clay Holmes, but Alex Verdugo grounded into a game-ending double play.
Nick Pivetta struck out 10 over 5.1 innings of work before struggling in a three-run bottom of the sixth as New York took the lead. Rafael Devers opened the scoring with his 30th home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth. It was just the Yankees' second win of the season over Boston.
With the win in the first game, New York pulled just one game back of Boston as they duke it out to not finish last in the AL East.
Crawford was supposed to get the start Monday before the game was rained out. He will make his fourth start and sixth appearance against New York. He's previously 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA in his career versus the Yankees.
The right-hander has failed to make it through at least four innings in back-to-back starts, throwing 3.2 in last Tuesday's 8-6 loss to the Rays in 11 innings. He allowed five runs (earned) on three hits (one HR) and four walks while picking up five strikeouts.
Rodon will face Boston for the first time in two seasons, picking up the win on Sept. 10, 2021, in Chicago as he allowed just one run (earned) on three hits (one HR) with no walks and seven strikeouts.
It will be his sixth career start against the Sox. He is previously 1-3 with a 3,60 ERA in his last five appearances.
He went just 3.2 innings in a loss against Detroit on Sept. 7 last time out, allowing seven runs (earned) on eight hits (one HR) with four strikeouts.