Boston Red Sox 3 – New York Yankees 5
After winning yesterday, the Yankees looked to continue a winning finish to the last week of the 2016 season.
Predictably, Clay Buchholz and Bryan Mitchell were locked in a pitcher’s duel. The Red Sox could not threaten Mitchell and the Yankees until the fifth inning.
Bryan Mitchell led off the fifth inning with a walk. After Ramirez was caught stealing, Jackie Bradley Jr. walked too. Brock Holt walked as well put they were stranded after two more outs ended the inning.
For the Yankees, Brett Gardner got a lead off single in the fourth inning but that was all they could muster. Through six innings against Clay Buchholz, Brett Gardner hit a single and walked twice as the only Yankees batter to reach base.
In seven scoreless innings, Bryan Mitchell allowed just two hits. He walked five and struck out two.
On for relief, Adam Warren got a ground ball by Sandy Leon but Starlin Castro booted it in the shift, allowing Leon to reach. Dustin Pedroia followed with a ground-rule double to hold the runner at third. After a line out by Xander Bogaerts, David Ortiz was intentionally walked but Mookie Betts came through with a high chopper over third base for a two-run double. Tommy Layne came on in relief with the bases loaded but a passed ball let the Red Sox extend their lead to three. Jonathan Holder and James Pazos combined to pitch a scoreless ninth inning as the Yankees came up for their last chance.
Against Craig Kimbrel, Brett Gardner led off with a single, his second of the night. Jacoby Ellsbury followed with a walk. A wild pitch advanced them into scoring position and a walk of Gary Sanchez loaded the bases. Brian McCann worked a 10-pitch at-bat for a bases-loaded walk and the first Yankees run scored. Joe Kelly came on in relief of the closer and got the first two outs of the inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, Mark Teixeira pulled a 99 MPH fastball to right-center for a walk-off grand slam.
The home run prevented the AL East champion Red Sox from celebrating on the field and also ensures the Yankees will have a winning record for the 24th consecutive season. The grand slam is the first regular season walk-off home run in Mark Teixeira’s career. Reminder; this is Mark Teixeira’s retirement year.
Win – James Pazos (1-0)
Loss – Craig Kimbrel (2-5)
Notables
Red Sox
*Mookie Betts – 2 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI (112)
*Dustin Pedroia – 1 for 5, R, 2B
Yankees
*Mark Teixeira – 1 for 3, R, Walk-off grand slam (15) in the 9th, 4 RBI (43)
*Brett Gardner – 2 for 2, R, 2 BB
Current Yankees Record: 82-76
