Over the course of his 13-year career, Holliday has played for the Rockies, A’s and Cardinals, spending his last seven-plus seasons with St. Louis. He has had some trouble staying healthy over the past two seasons, playing in only 183 games during that time. Holliday is no longer the player who can hit 25 home runs and score 100 times, but he should be able to replicate Beltran’s stats, or even exceed them.

Holliday and Beltran put up similar numbers last season. Below, we can see the similarities in their offensive production: (Beltran’s stats include his time with the Texas Rangers)

While Beltran hit for more power than Holliday, their adjusted outputs are nearly identical. The two had the same True Average (TAv) despite Holliday’s injuries forcing him to miss more than 50 games last season and record about 150 fewer plate appearances. Their VORP and WARP are also almost exactly alike, which is remarkable given Beltran’s production with the Yankees. Beltran actually recorded negative VORP and WARP in Texas, with -1.2 and -0.2, respectively.

Even though Holliday won’t hit for as many home runs as Beltran, he can make up for it by taking advantage of the large left-center and right-center gaps at Yankee Stadium, as Holliday has typically profiled as a doubles hitter over the course of his career. Additionally, Holliday could also draw more walks than Beltran — Holliday’s 2016 walk rate was his lowest since 2007. But that’s where the differences end. The Yankees are basically getting a slightly younger version of Beltran, who was a slightly younger version of Ibanez.

For some more insight, here is a comparison of Holliday’s and Beltran’s career stats:

Holliday’s numbers are slightly inflated due to spending the first five years of his career playing home games at Coors Field. During his best years in Colorado, he hit 30-plus home runs per season, whereas he hasn’t hit more than 28 since being traded to Oakland. Additionally, Beltran has racked up more VORP and WARP due simply to his career being longer, and as he has aged, his productiveness has waned considerably.

The biggest overall difference between Beltran and Holliday is their handedness — Beltran is a switch hitter whereas Holliday is a pure righty. Most of Beltran’s at-bats have come as a left-handed batter, which is a plus at Yankee Stadium. Two of New York’s most prolific power hitters since the ballpark opened in 2009, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson, were lefties. But heading into 2017, the Yankees already had a lefty-heavy lineup, featuring Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner, Didi Gregorius and Greg Bird. Although he doesn’t have the luxury of batting from both sides of the plate, Holliday balances out the lineup regardless.

A look at their 2016 spray charts shows how both hitters are capable of hitting to all fields. Controlling for Holliday’s right-handedness, I’ve compared all of Holliday’s contact with Beltran’s contact as a right-handed hitter.

Holliday’s is slightly more sparse because he missed time, but otherwise there’s a very similar distribution of line drives to all fields, as illustrated by the red dots. Indeed, their hard-hit rates are almost equal — Holliday at 38.5% and Beltran at 35.8%.

Replacing Carlos Beltran with Matt Holliday was a great move from Brian Cashman, as he is effectively replacing Beltran with a clone. Holliday’s relative youth adds the potential for a 2017 season than was better than Beltran’s 2016. With the horde of young talent procured when Beltran was traded, it’s almost like the only thing that’s changed is the Yankees’ farm system.

Photo: Scott Rovak / USA Today Sports

Boston nearly broke through multiple times, and even tied the game in the seventh. But ultimately, thanks to Tyler Austin’s short porch home run, the Yankees proved too much this night and Boston’s plans to celebrate an AL East title will have to wait another day.

Luis Cessa started the game for the Yankees and pitched well, allowing two runs in six innings, both of which came in the sixth inning as he was tiring and seemed to be dealing with some sort of back issues. After Cessa grabbed at his back early in the inning Joe Girardi tried to come out from the dugout, but Cessa waved him off. Cessa got through the inning and finished the night with 84 pitches, one walk and two strikeouts.

Things got a little dicey in the ninth as David Ortiz (who else?) came to bat as the winning run with two outs. Facing Tyler Clippard, not Dellin Betances, Ortiz struck out swinging.

THE PLAY: ORTIZ NEEDS A BIGGER DOMINICAN LUNCH (-.073 WPA for Boston)

The #narrative almost overtook the day, as David Ortiz could have won Tuesday’s game in dramatic fashion. On the full count pitch with the runners going, Ortiz took a hearty cut at the changeup, but it dove out of his reach to the right and the Yankees walked off victorious.

TOP PERFORMERS

Red Sox — Xander Bogaerts: 3-for-5, 2B

Yankees — Tyler Austin: 3-for-3, go-ahead HR, 1 R, 2 RBI

NOTES

— Gary Sanchez hit a home run. Ho hum. #ElGary has now mashed 20 home runs in his first 51 career games, which ties him with Wally Berger of 1930 Boston Braves fame as the fastest player to reach 20 home runs in MLB history. A reminder: he his his first homer on Aug. 10. It is Sept. 27. He has hit 20 home runs. Unreal.

— David Ortiz was 0-for-5 on the night, his third-to-last at Yankee Stadium as he wraps up his farewell tour. His last three at-bats, which all came with two runners on base, were among the lowest four plays of the game in terms of WPA. In layman’s terms, basically Ortiz cost the Red Sox the game.

— It was another roller coaster evening for Yankees middle relievers. At first, Tommy Layne came in for Cessa in the seventh and gave up the tying runs. It seemed like everything would continue to go south from there, but Blake Parker got Oritz to ground out softly. Richard Bleier came in for a perfect two-thirds of an inning and Clippard handled the ninth, shutting the door.

THE HIGHLIGHT: A FAILED, THEN SUCCESSFUL, PROPOSAL

During the middle of the fifth inning, a fan attempted to pop the question on the scoreboard at Yankee Stadium. But there was just one problem — he couldn’t find the ring! The situation left the man in tears. “I thought it was going to be a simple kneel-down and pop it open,” he told YES Network. Fortunately for the couple, the ring was found a little bit later, and they are now happily engaged.

UP NEXT

The Yankees continue their final series with Boston, with Clay Buchholz (8-10, 5.00 ERA) leading the charge for a clinch (again). New York will counter with Bryan Mitchell (1-2, 4.50 ERA) who is making just his fifth start of the season.

Photo: Adam Hunger/USA Today Sports

Pineda pitched well, but New York found itself in a 2-0 hole early on. Mark Teixeira hit a solo shot to bring the Yankees within one, and then a four-run seventh gave them the lead they would not relinquish. After a Brett Gardner RBI single, Gary Sanchez hit yet another home run. At this point, you have to consider Sanchez for Rookie of the Year for leading this late-season charge to the Wild Card, even if it ultimately falls short.

THE PLAY: THE REAL SANCHIZE (+.380 WPA)

Sanchez’s home run was his 17th of the season, 10 of which have been at least 400 feet, including Tuesday’s. He’s played in just 42 games this season. What more can be said? The kid’s an absolute stud.

TOP PERFORMERS

Yankees — Billy Butler: 2-for-4, 2 2B

Rays — Evan Longoria: 2-for-3, 1 R

NOTES

— Michael Pineda pitched well Tuesday night with his only mistake coming in the form of a two-run Brad Miller triple in the third inning. Pineda struck out 11 Rays batters in 5.1 innings of work, one strikeout shy of tying his season high.

— Mark Teixeira hit what might be the last home run of his career. In the fourth inning, Tex launched a bomb deep to down the left field line for his 13th home run of the season. While the Yankees still have one homestand left this season where he can take advantage of the short porches, Teixeira’s reduced power numbers and .199/.289/.346 slash line may indicate we’ve seen the last Tex Message.

— Luis Severino continued to be fantastic out of the bullpen. Tuesday night against the Rays, Severino pitched XX. Since returning to the majors in September, the righty allowed just one earned run and six hits in 13 relief innings while adding 12 strikeouts.

THE HIGHLIGHT: FINAL TEX MESSAGE?

Here’s a closer look at Teixeira’s home run from Tuesday’s game. The bomb was Tex’s 204th as a Yankee over his career, by far the most he’s hit with any team (Texas is second with 153). He has spent eight years in pinstripes, which averages to 25.5 home runs per season with New York. He hit 39 home runs in two seasons, when he led the league in 2009 and also in 2011.

UP NEXT

The Yankees continue their final series of the season with Tampa Bay on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. Masahiro Tanaka (13-4, 2.97 ERA) will keep up his push for the Cy Young Award against Alex Cobb (1-0, 3.06 ERA) on the hill.

Photo: Kim Klement / USA Today Sports; Videos: MLBAM

Anyways, CC Sabathia pitched very well for New York, going 6 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing three hits and striking out seven. The bullpen combination of Adam Warren, Tyler Clippard and Dellin Betances combined to pitch the rest of the game, giving up two hits and keeping the Dodgers off the board.

Jacoby Ellsbury, who didn’t start because Joe Girardi wanted to give him a rest after starting eight straight games, smashed a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to give New York the only offense it would need. The next at-bat, Didi Gregorius followed with a home run of his own. Gary Sanchez later continued his torrid stretch run with the team’s third solo shot of the night in the eighth.

THE PLAY: BURY ‘EM, JACOBY (+.224 WPA)

The aforementioned Ellsbury home run was a no-doubter, launched into the second deck. It was just Ellsbury’s ninth home run of the season, but it came at the perfect moment for Tuesday’s contest. As a pinch-hitter this season, Ellsbury is 4-for-8 with a double and home run.

TOP PERFORMERS

Dodgers — Kike Hernandez: 1-for-2, 2B

Yankees — Starlin Castro: 3-for-4

NOTES

— Ellsbury was only in the game Tuesday because Aaron Judge left after the fourth inning when he fouled a ball back to the screen and appeared to tweak his ankle. Judge finished the at bat, and went to first base after Urias walked him, but did not take the field in the top of the fifth.

— This is only the fourth regular-season series ever between the Yankees and Dodgers, two storied franchises who used to meet almost every year in the World Series back in the ’50s. Tuesday’s win brought the Yankees’ overall record to 6-6 in such meetings.

THE HIGHLIGHT: GARY, COME HOME (AGAIN)

Before Monday’s game, Joe Girardi said that Gary Sanchez deserves Rookie of the Year consideration. Tuesday night, Sanchez tried to prove him right. In just 34 games — an extremely small sample size for any major award — Sanchez has hit 14 home runs. His arm behind the plate is one of the best in the majors. And even though he’s cooled off a bit after his torrid August, he seems to be embracing the New York spotlight by sending out tweets like this:

#StartSpreadingTheNews @Yankees don't quit. NYC, you with us?

— Gary Sanchez (@ElGarySanchez) September 10, 2016

UP NEXT

The Yankees will conclude their series against the Dodgers at 4:05 p.m. before beginning a four-game series with the Red Sox. Clayton Kershaw (11-3, 1.89 ERA) will make his second start back from the disabled list and will face Michael Pineda (6-11, 5.07 ERA) on the hill.

Tuesday’s game between Toronto and New York moved at a brisk pace for the first seven or so innings, with the teams keeping it within one run. But the ninth inning proved for quite a show. After the Yankees took a 7-4 lead in the bottom of the eighth, Dellin Betances was summoned to the mound. He ended up throwing 40 pitches and only got one out after two infield singles from Edwin Encarnacion and Melvin Upton. Blake Parker entered and pulled a Houdini when he struck out Kevin Pillar looking and got Justin Smoak to fly out after Brett Gardner leapt at the wall to make a fantastic, snow-cone catch.

The Yankees also almost blew this one in the eighth. Due to some inexplicably bad bullpen management from Joe Girardi, Betances was not brought into a tight situation in the eighth for a four-out save. Though Betances had pitched each of the last two days, he had only thrown a combined 22 pitches in those appearances and before that hadn’t appeared in a game since Aug. 31. Girardi instead turned to youngster Ben Heller, who may end up as a very good pitcher eventually, but predictably gave up the go-ahead double to Pillar in this situation. The offense bailed him out in the bottom of the inning, however.

The fourth-place Yankees are now 4 1/2 games out of first, and closer to the top than any other second place team in the majors except San Francisco, pending Tuesday night’s results.

THE PLAY: GET OUT OF MY LABORATORY (+.432)

Before all the madness in the ninth, but after Girardi’s dumb bullpen moves, Didi said “What does this button do?” Well, it tied the score at four apiece. Over a leaping Kevin Pillar, who had given Toronto the lead in the top half of the inning, went Didi’s triple.

TOP PERFORMERS

Blue Jays — Kevin Pillar: 3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Yankees — Tyler Austin: 1-for-2, 1 HR, 2 RBI

NOTES

— Luis Cessa made his fourth start of 2016 for the Yankees, giving up two runs in 5.1 innings while striking out three and walking two. In 23.1 innings as a starter this season, Cessa has given up eight earned runs, good for a 3.09 ERA.

— September baseball! The Yankees used eight pitchers tonight, and five of them combined for a two-thirds of an inning. The other 8 1/3 innings were handled by Cessa (5.1), Adam Warren (2.1) and Blake Parker (0.2).

— Gary Sanchez was hit on the wrist on a vicious Josh Donaldson backswing late in the game, but stayed in without injury. It’s something that may bear watching in the future though as the Yankees’ playoff chase heats up. Additionally, Edwin Encarnacion appeared to draw a catcher’s interference in the ninth, though it was not called. Sanchez went 1-for-4 in Tuesday’s contest.

THE HIGHLIGHT: Gardner saves the day

THE HIGHLIGHT (Pt. II): BIRTHDAY BOMB

On the day he turned 25, Tyler Austin showed some serious opposite field power when he launched an absolute shot to the right field bleachers. It was the second home run of his young career and, coming after other #BabyBomber Aaron Judge singled with two outs, ultimately proved the difference on Tuesday’s contest. The last Yankee to homer on his birthday was Alex Rodriguez in 2011.

UP NEXT

The Yankees will conclude their series with the Blue Jays on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Marcus Stroman (9-6, 4.58 ERA) will take on Bryan Mitchell, who is making his 2016 debut after spending most of the season on the DL with a broken toe.

Photo: Brad Penner/USA Today Sports; Videos: MLBAM

New York blew a 4-0 lead. The Royals tied it at four when Lorenzo Cain walked to lead off the eighth, stole second, took third when the throw went to center, and scored on a sac fly. Ho hum, classic Royals comeback, right? Ha ha WRONG!

The Yankees got a run in the 10th when Jacoby Ellsbury got an infield single that deflected off Joakim Soria. With a 5-4 lead going into the bottom of the inning, Joe Girardi sends out Ben Heller in his third career game to try to get the save. Heller struggled, so in came Chasen Shreve who had just been recalled that day. Entering with the bases loaded and one out, Shreve somehow manages to strike out Kendrys Morales and induce a lazy fly out from Salvador Perez to end the game.

The Yankees gained a game on the Royals in the Wild Card race but remain 3.5 games back of Baltimore for the second spot.

New York got off to a quick start in the 5-4 win as Aaron Judge belted a two-run home run to left field in the second and Ellsbury followed three batters later with an RBI double. Royals starter Edinson Volquez limped through 3.1 innings, giving up four runs on nine hits while hurling 85 pitches.

Masahiro Tanaka faced off against Volquez and began the game strong, but started to crumble as the innings went along. Tanaka gave up an RBI triple to the real-life Flash (Jarrod Dyson) in the third and a solo shot to Morales in the fourth. His night concluded after five innings and a 55-minute rain delay.

The late innings seemed to play right into the Royals’ hands, yet they couldn’t find a way to break through. Kansas City has had one of the best bullpens in baseball over the past few seasons — though not as good in 2016 — while the Yankees’ middle relief has been downright awful. However, New York was able to hold on and win the game by just one run thanks to Dellin Betances, despite the Royals’ bullpen only allowing two hits in their 5.2 innings of work.

THE PLAY: “SORRY, SORIA” — JACOBY ELLSBURY (+.318)

Jacoby Ellsbury had four hits on the night, but the shortest one of all was the biggest. pic.twitter.com/jFF4M3X7L5

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) August 31, 2016

The aforementioned Ellsbury single was the deciding play in this one. It was the unlikeliest of singles, coming only after Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin had struck out with two on and no out. But once Brett Gardner walked, Ellsbury waved his magic wand and the Royals’ ability to mount any comeback was turned on themselves.

TOP PERFORMERS

Yankees — Jacoby Ellsbury: 4-for-6, 2B, 2 RBI

Royals — Jarrod Dyson: 3-for-5, 3B, R, RBI

NOTES

— Despite being responsible for the tying run in the eighth, Tyler Clippard continued his hot streak in relief for the Yankees, going 1.2 hitless innings in relief to bridge the game to Betances. As a Yankee (in 2016), Clippard had given up just one earned run in 12.1 innings of work prior to Tuesday.

— The Yankees racked up 14 hits tonight and every starter managed at least one hit except for Tyler Austin. It’s been a bit of a rough go for Austin, as he has just four hits in his last 32 at-bats.

— Gary Sanchez went 1-for-6 and his batting average fell all the way down to .383.

THE QUOTE: MARIANO SHREVERA

Chaseh Shreve earned his first career save Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, and here’s what he had to say:

Chasen Shreve on his first career save: "I just tried to stay calm, hit my spots and make good pitches." pic.twitter.com/JN0Fz2t7Zc

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) August 31, 2016

THE HIGHLIGHT: GARDNER MAKES A SWELL CATCH

In the giant chasm known to many as Kauffman Stadium, there are a lot of fly balls that fall short of the wall. As a result, it is important to play excellent defense in the outfield. Shortly before the rain delay, Brett Gardner made this slick catch in the left-field corner to rob Christian Colon of an extra-base hit.

UP NEXT

The Yankees conclude their three-game series in Kansas City looking to earn a series win. New York will send Luis Cessa (4-0, 4.11 ERA) to the mound where he will face Ian Kennedy (9-9, 3.57 ERA).

Photo: John Rieger / USA Today Sports

The former Cy Young Award winner tossed seven great innings against the Mariners, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out seven. Sabathia’s only run came on a single in the third inning when the Yankees inexplicably brought the infield in early in the game. Even though the runner from third likely would have scored had the infield been at regular depth, Didi Gregorius would have had a decent chance to get the runner out at first with his range.

New York scored in bursts and with Sabathia’s dominance, the game went along at a relatively brisk pace.

THE PLAY: ELLSBURY BURIES ONE (+.186 WPA)

With the game tied at one in the fifth inning and Sabathia dealing, former 30+ home run hitter Jacoby Ellsbury launched a bomb to right-center field to give his pitcher the lead. New York would not relinquish the lead for the rest of the night. Ellsbury had been struggling coming into the game, hitting 7-for-41 over his last ten contests, but the blast was the difference maker for the Yankees to move three games over .500.

TOP PERFORMERS

Yankees — Ronald Torreyes: 3-for-4, 2 2Bs, 1 R, 1 RBI

Mariners — Robinson Cano: 2-for-4

NOTES

— Gary Sanchez was remarkably quiet (at least relatively) in Tuesday night’s game, notching only a single and walk against Seattle. Sanchez had hit seven home runs in his last eight games, but despite Safeco Field’s smaller outfield he did not come home Tuesday. He’s slashing .377/.427/.797 in his short time up this season.

— With Anthony Swarzak on the disabled list, Joe Girardi brought in Tommy Layne during the eighth inning while the Yankees were still within a save situation. Swarzak had bafflingly been trusted in a lot of close games after the departures of Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman, but Layne stepped up as a nice bridge needing only eight pitches to retire the side. The Yankees scored in the ninth though to increase their lead to four.

— Despite the four-run lead, Dellin Betances came in in the ninth to close out the game. Though he was not eligible for a save situation, Betances still threw a scoreless ninth, giving up one hit while striking out two.

THE HIGHLIGHT: MORE LIKE TOR-RUN-YES

Aside from Ellsbury’s home run, Ronald Torreyes was the biggest source of offense on the night. In the second inning, the infielder ripped an RBI double off opposing starter Taijuan Walker to put New York on the board with a 1-0. Torreyes in on a scorching hot mini-streak, knocking eight basehits in his last 12 at bats with four doubles and a home run.

UP NEXT

The Yankees play the rubber game of their series against Seattle at a much earlier 3:40 p.m. start. Masahiro Tanaka (10-4, 3.24 ERA) will take on Hisashi Iwakuma (14-8, 3.78 ERA) in the finale.

Photo: Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports; Videos: MLBAM

Then the rain came. A 42-minute delay halted play in the middle of the fifth, long enough to force Pineda from the game and apparently lull the home team to sleep. New York’s completely revamped bullpen showed its cracks and the Blue Jays took advantage in a 12-6 loss, with help from an eight-run eighth.

Anthony Swarzak, Adam Warren and Chasen Shreve were each charged with four runs in the contest, leaving Yankees fans longing for Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman. Though, in the long run, the #SellSellSell moves will probably bring much better tidings.

There really wasn’t much more to this game, other than the second coming of The Sanchize in New York. But we’ll get to that later.

THE PLAY: WET MARTIN-I (+.353 WPA)

Russell Martin has been a thorn in the Yankees’ side since joining the Blue Jays, and Tuesday night was no different. Martin hit two home runs against the New York bullpen, with his second breaking a 6-6 tie in the eighth inning. The Blue Jays would not look back after coming back from a 6-0 deficit. Since joining Blue Jays last season, Russell Martin has four multi-HR games, three of which have come at Yankee Stadium.

TOP PERFORMERS

Blue Jays — Troy Tulowitzki: 4-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR

Yankees — Gary Sanchez: 3-for-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI

NOTES

— Tuesday was just Pineda’s second start all season where he did not allow a run, the other coming on July 20 in six scoreless against the Orioles. Pineda threw just 68 pitches in the rain-shortened start against Toronto, tossing five innings while allowing four hits and striking out two.

— Warren had not given up a run in his return as a Yankee before Tuesday, but he did not fare so well in the eighth inning. In a 27-pitch outing where he only recorded one out, Warren was charged with his four runs thanks to homers by Edwin Encarnacion and Martin.

— Lost in all the madness was a solid night for Didi Gregorius. The Yankee shortstop started off the scoring in the first inning with a solo shot and then added an RBI single for New York’s sixth run of the night. Gregorius has been a solid presence all season in the Yankee lineup and should look to build on his success in 2017.

THE QUOTE

After the game, Sanchez spoke about what his first multi-HR game meant to him in a lengthy, eloquent speech. Here is that speech.

THE HIGHLIGHT: GARY COMES HOME

Before the rain delay ruined everyone’s hopes and dreams, Gary Sanchez continued to demonstrate that Yankees fans have a lot to look forward to in the future. In the fourth inning, Sanchez launched his second of two home runs on the night into the second deck in left field, bringing home three and giving the Yankees a 5-0 lead. Sanchez recorded his first career multi-HR game and his third and fourth home runs of the season.

UP NEXT

The Yankees wrap up their series against Toronto at 1:05 p.m. C.C. Sabathia (7-9, 4.20 ERA) will face MLB wins leader J.A. Happ (16-3, 2.96 ERA) in a battle of initialed first names.

Photo: Brad Penner / USA Today Sports

The second homer went 416 feet and left the bat at 110 mph, according to Statcast.

Tuesday was Sanchez’s first career multi-HR game and his third and fourth dingers of the season. The Yankees entered the night 5.5 games back of first-place Toronto. Baltimore, who is tied with the Blue Jays for first, plays the third-place Red Sox on Tuesday.

Photo: Brad Penner / USA Today Sports; Video: MLBAM

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