Nightmare fourth inning dooms Yankees in opener versus Boston

BOSTON -- In the opener of a key four-game series between rivals, New York's pitching staff was no match for a high-powered Boston offensive attack, as the home team won 15-7 at Fenway Park.

The Yankees are now 6.5 games back of the AL East leading Red Sox.

It all began well for the Bombers with a Didi Gregorius three-run home run in the first inning, off of Brian Johnson. Aaron Hicks then added a solo shot in the second to increase the New York lead to 4-0, early on.

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Boston finally got on the board in the second, when Mookie Betts walked to bring in a run. Steve Pearce then hit the first of his three homers in the third to cut the Yankee lead in half.

Then, CC Sabathia, who had only gone three innings, was pulled from the game by Aaron Boone in favor of Jonathan Holder.

The right-hander proceeded to have his worst outing of the season, getting no outs while giving up seven earned runs on five hits. The big hit was Pearce's second blast, a three-run shot, that put the Red Sox up for good.

While Gregorius and Giancarlo Stanton would homer to cut into the lead, the Boston attack was relentless as they continued to pour it on.

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In total, the Red Sox accumulated 19 hits, with the first six hitters in their line-up ending with multi-hit games.

Also, Luis Cessa, Saturday's expected starter, was also used by Boone in a long relief appearance. This now opens the door for someone from Scranton, maybe Chance Adams, to make a spot start.

Luis Severino hopes to get on track as he faces Rick Porcello in a critical matchup tomorrow night.

Current Yankees Record: 68-39