NEW YORK — After beating Chris Sale in the earlier game, the Yankees continued to have their way against their rivals, defeating Boston 6-4 to sweep today’s doubleheader. Though a much closer game than the first, a pair of home runs from Gleyber Torres and some clutch hits from a pair of outfielders got the job done in the Bronx.
The Bombers are now 8 games up on the Rays for first place in the AL East, while the reeling Red Sox are now a distant 13.5 games back of New York.
Going without a true starting pitcher in tonight’s game, New York relied on the usual combo of Chad Green and Nestor Cortes Jr. to keep them in the game.
Though it started well, Cortes was greeted by Rafael Devers with a swing that landed as his 22nd homer of the season and a 2-0 lead for Boston.
Right away, however, the Yankees responded. Torres opened the scoring with the first of his two solo shots of the game, before Cameron Maybin drove in two runs with a double that just got past Devers at third base. This frame marked the end for Boston starter Brian Johnson, who gave up three runs on eight hits in just three innings.
Facing Chance Adams, Mookie Betts drove in two with a RBI-single that gave the lead back to the Red Sox. Just like last time, though, Torres responded with a solo shot that tied the game at four.
Now, in the seventh inning, the Yankees had a golden opportunity with the bases loaded and Mike Tauchman at the plate. With Boston’s defense in a shift, Tauchman found the hole on the left side of the infield and punched a single to left field. Torres scored easily and the speedy Hicks got in ahead of the throw from Sam Travis.
That gave New York a 6-4 lead, a score that would hold up for the rest of the night.
Mi🔑 Tauchman. pic.twitter.com/hL4UCIH0xc
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 4, 2019
Zack Britton made things interesting when he loaded the bases, with two outs, for Devers. Luckily for him, he was able to strikeout the third baseman and strand all the runners.
Aroldis Chapman then came in to the game in the ninth and earned his 29th save in a pretty uneventful appearance. He struckout two and a walk to J.D. Martinez was the only negative in his ledger.
Unfortunately for Aaron Boone and the Yankees, some bad news did come out of this game. After already losing Edwin Encarnacion to a fractured wrist in the first game, Aaron Hicks was removed from this game after feeling some pain in his elbow.
Though both were unsure of the final diagnosis, both Boone and Hicks did not sound optimistic about the injury. An IL stint is almost certain.
The Bombers go for the sweep tomorrow, with J.A. Happ on the mound against David Price.
Current Yankees Record: 71-39
