BOSTON (AP) — Gleyber Torres had a go-ahead, two-run single in the sixth inning and started a game-ending double play with the bases loaded, helping the New York Yankees hold on to beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Tuesday in a day-night doubleheader opener.
DJ LeMahieu added an RBI double as New York earned just its second victory in 10 meetings with Boston this season and got back to .500 at 72-72. The Red Sox, just one game ahead of the Yankees at 73-71, have lost five of their last six as their hopes fade of securing the AL’s final wild-card berth.
The doubleheader was scheduled after Monday’s series opener was rained out. The change contributed to an announced paid attendance of only 30,029, the lowest at Fenway Park for a Red Sox-Yankees game since May 27, 1999, not including pandemic-restricted crowds in 2020 and 2021.
“The end of the season is about having the discipline to go out there and still be at your sharpest and put your best foot forward,” said Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka, who played just his third game following the Sept. 1 call-up of rookie Austin Wells and had his fifth, three-hit game this season. “At this point we've got to show some character and finish strong no matter what the circumstances are.”
Jhony Brito (7-7) pitched three-hit ball over 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Clay Holmes walked the bases loaded with one out in the ninth before Alex Verdugo grounded a first-pitch sinker to Torres at second. He threw to shortstop Anthony Volpe for a forceout at second, and LeMahieu stretched to get the throw to first, giving Holmes his 19th save in 22 chances.
With the Yankees wearing caps to honor first responders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Yankees starter Randy Vásquez gave up two runs off three hits over 3 2/3 innings.
Boston starter Nick Pivetta (9-9) struck out 10, but allowed three runs off four hits over 5 1/3 innings.
Rafael Devers homered on a first-pitch cutter in the fourth, a drive into the Yankees bullpen in right-center for his 30th home run this season and the 25th of his career against the Yankees. Triston Casas doubled and scored on a wild pitch.
“Obviously, losing this game put us in a tougher spot,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We know where we're at. We've put ourselves in this situation. So just keep playing good baseball, that's the key. ... It's not going to change because of where we are.”
Pivetta hit Everson Pereira and gave up a single to Higashioka opening the sixth. LeMahieu ripped an RBI double down the left field line and set up Torres' two-run single.
“He was having his way with us, obviously, ringing up a lot of strikeouts,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of Pivetta. “We were able to just string at-bats together against him."
Left-hander Carlos Rodón (2-5) was set to start the night game for the Yankees and Kutter Crawford (6-7, 4.36) for the Red Sox.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Yankees: RHP Jonathan Loáisiga was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Sunday with right elbow swelling. It comes just over a month after he was activated following arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur from his pitching elbow, which had sidelined him since April 5. He’s made 17 appearances this season, with a 3.06 ERA over 17 2/3 innings. New York selected the contract of RHP Zach McAllister, who hasn’t appeared in a major league game since 2018. … INF Anthony Rizzo (post-concussion syndrome) was transferred to the 60-day IL. … RHP Luke Weaver was claimed off waivers from Seattle.
UP NEXT
Yankees: RHP Clarke Schmidt (9-8, 4.54 ERA), originally slated to start Monday’s opener, will make his 29th start on Wednesday. He’s allowed three or fewer runs in 18 of his last 19 starts.
Red Sox: RHP Tanner Houck (4-9, 5.28) has a 2.39 ERA in six starts and five relief appearances against the Yankees.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
