Yankees Game 27: Hicks comes up big in win

Aaron Hicks swings the big stick, hitting the go-ahead home run in a close win at home.

Boston Red Sox 2 – New York Yankees 3

Returning home, the Yankees looked to get back in the win column against the rival Boston Red Sox.

In the first inning, Michael Pineda recorded the first two outs before Xander Bogaerts kept the inning alive with a double down the right field line. With the opportunity presented, David Ortiz delivered a no-doubt, two-run home run to right. The Red Sox continued threatening with a pair of singles but a strikeout of Brock Holt kept the damage to two.

In the bottom of the first, Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a walk. Ellsbury advanced to second and third with a pair of stolen bases during Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann's at-bats. Then, with two outs, Brian McCann brought home Ellsbury with a run-scoring double to right field.

The run came at a price though as Jacoby Ellsbury exited after the inning.

After a scoreless second inning by Pineda, the Yankees manufactured a run in the bottom of the inning. Starlin Castro started the inning by reaching on an infield single. He advanced to second on a sacrifice by Aaron Hicks. After a ground out and a walk to Ronald Torreyes, Dustin Ackley hit a single to center field. On the base hit, Torreyes was caught at third base but just late enough for Castro to score before the inning ended, tying the game.

Following the first two innings, Michael Pineda got into a groove, retiring 11 of the next 12 before running into trouble in the sixth inning.

With one out, Hanley Ramirez reached first base on a single that featured a near collision by McCann and Pineda. Travis Shaw and Brock Holt loaded the bases with a pair of singles but Pineda put out the flames of trouble with an inning-ending double play.

In six innings, Michael Pineda allowed two runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out four. The two runs came on the first inning home run so he bounced back well and gave the Yankees a quality outing.

While Pineda settled down, Rick Porcello also denied the Yankees from getting on the scoreboard until the seventh inning and the 2-2 tie changed with a bang.

On the first pitch of the seventh inning, Aaron Hicks made his mark with a solo home run to right field. His first home run as a Yankee gave them the lead late in the game.

After a scoreless seventh inning by Chasen Shreve and Kirby Yates, eighth inning reliever Dellin Betances entered looking to hold the lead. After getting the first two outs, Travis Shaw reached on an infield single, resulting in the call for closer Andrew Miller for the four-out save.

Miller walked the first batter he faced but rebounded by striking out Jackie Bradley looking to bring the game to the ninth. With the lead still at one in the ninth, the Red Sox rallied with a single by pinch-hitter Josh Rutledge. Miller got the first out on a strikeout of Betts but Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts reached with a pair of singles, loading the bases with one out. On a 3-1 strike, David Ortiz did not like the call and took a short walk before returning to the plate for the full count pitch. On a low pitch, Ortiz was called out on strikes, much to his chagrin. Following the 3-1 count, manager John Farrell was ejected for arguing balls and strikes then David Ortiz was ejected as well, after he stormed onto the field in a rage that required three teammates to subdue him.

After the heated discussion, Andrew Miller struck out Hanley Ramirez for the final out of a very close win in the Bronx.

Win – Kirby Yates (1-0)

Loss – Rick Porcello (5-1)

Save – Andrew Miller (6)

Notables

Red Sox

*David Ortiz – 1 for 5, R, Two-run home run (7) in the 1st, 2 RBI (25)

*Xander Bogaerts – 2 for 5, R, 2B

Yankees

*Aaron Hicks – 1 for 2, R, Solo home run (1) in the 7th, RBI (3)

*Dustin Ackley – 1 for 3, RBI (1)

Current Yankees Record: 10-17