Yankees-Red Sox is a historic rivalry but has lost some of its luster over the past few seasons as one, or both, teams have struggled. This year, New York is the lesser team, hovering around .500 for most of the season and selling off their best pieces at the deadline. Meanwhile, the Red Sox have been in the playoff hunt for nearly the entire 2016 season and sit 2.5 games out of first place. This series also marks Alex Rodriguez’s last games against the Red Sox in a Yankee uniform, and as Boston led 5-2 in the ninth fans chanted “We want A-Rod!” likely wanting to see him strike out one final time against the Red Sox.
Luis Severino started the game off strong, but faltered as his outing continued. He made quick work of Boston through his first time through the order, but in the third inning gave up a double to Dustin Pedroia to tie the game up. Later, in the fifth, Severino allowed extra-base hits to three of the first four batters he faced — a triple, double (after a lengthy replay review overturned a home run) and another double — after which manager Joe Girardi promptly pulled him from the game.
The Red Sox added another run in the inning, which was charged to Severino. His final line: 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 3 K.
New York had an opportunity to inch closer in the seventh when, after a bench-and-bullpen-clearing non-fight involving Chase Headley and Boston starter Rick Porcello, Brett Gardner doubled to the left-field corner. However, Aaron Hicks, who had been on first, was surprisingly held up at third by Joe Espada. Jacoby Ellsbury flied out to end the inning one batter later.
Porcello turned in one of his finest starts of the season, going eight innings and giving up seven hits to earn his 100th career win. He also walked one and struck out six, lowering his ERA to 3.40. The Yankees nearly came back in the ninth after Craig Kimbrel walked four batters in the inning for the first time in his career, but Mark Teixeira struck out looking to end the game. The loss dropped the Yankees to 56-56, an even .500 for the season.
THE PLAY: PEDROIA KNOTS THE GAME AT 2-2 (+.144 WPA)
The aforementioned Pedroia double came on the ninth pitch of his third inning at-bat. Pedroia took the 98-MPH fastball the other way and into the rightfield corner as it bounced around near the fence as the Red Sox booth distracted Hicks from fielding it. (Seriously, listen to this audio.) Pedroia had only been slashing .189/.268/.351 against the Yankees coming into Tuesday, but his 2-for-4 performance helped those numbers a bit.
TOP PERFOMERS
Yankees — Brett Gardner: 3-for-4, 1 R, 2 2B
Red Sox — Andrew Benintendi: 3-for-3, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2B
NOTES
— Tuesday was Severino’s fourth appearance since being recalled from Triple-A but first start. In 8.1 relief innings since his promotion, he had allowed just one hit and no runs. Against the Red Sox, Severino’s ERA rose nearly half a run — from 6.02 to 6.42.
— Making just his fourth career start and first ever at Fenway Park, Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi is already showing why he may haunt Yankees fans for years to come. The 2015 No. 7 overall draft pick hit his first career extra-base hit on that long review in the fifth and is now hitting .500/.500/.563 in his young, 16-at-bat career. Those numbers obviously won’t hold forever but he will be a force in Boston for years to come.
— New relief Tommy Layne, who was signed Tuesday morning after being released by Boston last week, made his Yankees debut against the Red Sox. Coming in for Severino in the fifth, Layne went 1.1 scoreless innings and gave up one hit while striking out another. Dellin Betances is the only reliever currently in the Yankees’ bullpen who was in the ‘pen on Opening Day.
THE HIGHLIGHT: FENWAY PARK IS OLD
In one of the lighthearted moments of the night, Red Sox staff accidentally left the garage door open by the left field corner. Home plate umpire Todd Tichenor noticed and immediately stopped play, while a frantic employee sprinted from the Green Monster door to close the garage. After everyone had a nice chuckle, the game resumed.
UP NEXT
The Yankees continue their series against the rival Red Sox and send Nathan Eovaldi (9-8, 4.80 ERA) to the hill. Eovaldi will face Drew Pomeranz (8-9, 3.09 ERA) in the 7 p.m. contest.
Photo: Bob DeChiara / USA Today Sports