The Boston Red Sox have defeated the New York Yankees 6-2 in the American League wild-card game, ousting their rivals in a battle at Fenway to claim a spot in the league division series.
The Red Sox established an early lead off a two-run homer from Xander Bogaerts, who had been slumping heading into Tuesday’s game with only five extra-base hits across September and October, and Boston never faltered from there.
Kyle Schwarber added homer in the third to put Boston up 3-0, crushing a ball off Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, something Boston’s leadoff batter has been known to do.
Cole’s night didn’t last much longer. The Yankees ace was pulled shortly after coughing up a single and a walk in the wake of Schwarber’s blast.
Anthony Rizzo, who the Yankees acquired during the season, got New York on the board by sending a curveball into the right field seats.
The Yankees wouldn’t get closer than 3-1, though.
Boston extended its lead again in the seventh inning, with Alex Verdugo driving in two runs to put the Red Sox up 6-1.
The Red Sox will now face the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS.
More to come.
