BOSTON — In an offensive exchange in Boston, the Yankees came out on top doing what they do best, hit home runs. With four more tonight, New York tied the ’97 Mariners for the all-time single season record of 264 team homers, with still two games in the season to go.
More importantly, though, the Bombers clinched the all-important home field advantage for next Wednesday’s AL Wild Card Game versus the Oakland Athletics.
Though the score would suggest otherwise, the Yankees had to grind out this 11-6 win over the Red Sox, barely holding on to their five run lead in the ninth.
A good play at third from Miguel Andujar got Steve Pearce to ground out with the bases loaded, to bail out Zach Britton and the Yankees.
Speaking of Andujar, he also notably tied the rookie doubles record, with his 44th tonight, giving him a share of the record with the legend, Joe DiMaggio.
With 11 runs on 13 hits, though, he had a lot of help from what might be the best lineup the Yankees have put out all season.
To open the scoring, Gary Sanchez hit a solo shot, his 18th long ball of the year, off of Brian Johnson.
Feel the thunder. pic.twitter.com/Ooj7ZtYpHo
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 29, 2018
Giancarlo Stanton then added an RBI-single later in the inning to make it 2-0, New York .
An inning later, the Yankees would explode for six more runs.
What started with an innocent flyout from Didi Gregorius, the fourth inning got jumpstarted by the Andujar double.
Gleyber Torres then doubled in two runs on his 16th double of the season.
After another pair of hits from Andrew McCutchen and Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks made sure his return to the lineup was pleasantly felt, as he sent a booming shot to the Yankee bullpen in right field, a three-run homer that put the Yankees on top, 8-0.
Every stadium has unique dimensions. pic.twitter.com/DUnn853pCk
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 29, 2018
The Red Sox, however, would not go down without a fight.
First, Steve Pearce hit a sixth-inning grand slam, on a first pitch fastball from J.A. Happ, that got over the Green Monster and cut the New York lead in half, 8-4.
Thankfully for New York, the red-hot Luke Voit hit a solo shot in the seventh to answer back. Another run would then follow later in the frame.
Judge then hit a homer in the eighth inning, his first since returning from the DL, to tie the Mariners’ record.
Perfect timing. pic.twitter.com/dMgX5VjApX
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 29, 2018
Eventful innings followed from Dellin Betances and Britton, but only one Red Sox batter crossed the plate in each, as New York survived a scare and got away from Fenway Park with a much-needed victory.
The Bombers are in a good offensive groove at the moment, so Aaron Boone will need to carefully tread the line between resting players and maintaining their offensive momentum.
Lance Lynn faces Nate Eovaldi tomorrow, as the Yankees go for their 100th win of the season.
Current Yankees Record: 99-61
