The Boston Red Sox have drawn first blood in the latest chapter of their historic rivalry with the New York Yankees.
Despite being held scoreless through 6.1 innings by Yankees starter Max Fried, the Red Sox turned the game on its head once New York turned to its bullpen, taking a 3-1 win in Game 1 of the best-of-three Wild Card Series.
Luke Weaver entered in relief of Fried and immediately allowed a walk, double and two-RBI single to Masataka Yoshida to cough up a 1-0 lead.
Alex Bregman added on with an RBI double in the ninth against Yankees closer David Bednar.
The Yankees loaded the bases in the ninth against Aroldis Chapman but weren’t able to complete the comeback.
Starting pitching ultimately ruled the night, as Fried and Garrett Crochet dualed through the first six innings. Fried ended his night with six strikeouts and just three hits allowed in his Yankees post-season debut.
Crochet, meanwhile, dealt through 7.2 innings, punching out 11, with his only blemish being an Anthony Volpe solo shot in the second. His 117 pitches were a career high.
More to come…
