Yankees Game 114: Error on Ellsbury liner leads the Yankees to win

The Boston Red Sox committed a critical error as the New York Yankees came away with tonight's win.

New York Yankees 4 – Boston Red Sox 2

In his last appearance at Fenway Park, Alex Rodriguez found himself in the starting lineup.

In the first inning, Michael Pineda got the first two outs before a frequent problem appeared. David Ortiz reached base on a ground-rule double and came around to score on a single by Hanley Ramirez. For the Red Sox, Eduardo Rodriguez held the Yankees silent until the third inning. With one out, Austin Romine went deep over the monster for a solo home run to tie the game, 1-1.

Michael Pineda got in and out of trouble after the first inning run but another two-out rally caught up to the Yankees righty in the fifth inning. With one on and two outs, Hanley Ramirez put the Red Sox ahead with a double.

In six innings, Michael Pineda allowed two runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Four of the eight hits were for extra bases.

The Yankees could not solve Rodriguez, who held them to one-run in his seven innings of work. Fortunately for the Yankees, the bullpen is the soft layer of their rivals. Brad Ziegler entered in relief for the eighth inning.

Gary Sanchez led off with a single that featured a collision with first baseman Hanley Ramirez, which injured Ramirez but he stayed in for the rest of the inning. With one out, Aaron Hicks and Brett Gardner hit singles to load the bases with one out. Jacoby Ellsbury came up with a line drive to left field that left fielder Andrew Benintendi may have lost in the light as it flew by him for a go-ahead two-run error.

After an intentional walk of Chase Headley, Alex Rodriguez came up with the bases loaded. On a ground out just in front of the catcher, an insurance run was scored and the Yankees had a two-run lead.

Following a scoreless seventh inning, Luis Cessa pitched a perfect eighth inning as he bridged the lead to closer Dellin Betances.

In the ninth inning, Betances started with a strikeout but found himself in hot water after a double by Sandy Leon. A wild pitch advanced Leon to third and a walk of Benintendi put the tying run on the bases. Betances buckled down to strikeout Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts to end the game and secure the win.

Win – Luis Cessa (2-0)

Loss – Brad Ziegler (2-6)

Save – Dellin Betances (3)

Notables

Yankees

*Austin Romine – 1 for 1, R, BB, Solo home run (4) in the 3rd, RBI (20)

*Aaron Hicks – 2 for 3, R

Red Sox

*Hanley Ramirez – 2 for 3, 2B, 2 RBI (64)

*Sandy Leon – 3 for 4, 2 2B

Current Yankees Record: 58-56