Yankees 5-2 Red Sox: Judge’s power and Rodon’s pitching clinch series and bolster playoff push

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New York Yankees 5-2 Boston Red Sox

The New York Yankees closed out their four-game series against the Boston Red Sox in style, taking a 5-2 victory on Sunday to win the series three games to one. Behind a powerful performance from the top of the lineup and solid pitching from Carlos Rodon, the Yankees continued their push toward the playoffs, extending their lead in the AL East to three games.

Judge’s 53rd powers Yankees to series win

Carlos Rodon delivered a strong outing, continuing his late-season resurgence. He held the Red Sox to two runs over 5.1 innings, allowing just six hits and striking out five. His only blemish came in the fourth inning when Rafael Devers singled, and Tyler O’Neill followed with a two-run homer to left field, cutting the Yankees’ lead to 4-2.

The Yankees didn’t waste time getting on the board. Jazz Chisholm Jr. sparked the offense in the second inning by reaching base, and Giancarlo Stanton brought him home with a double down the left-field line to put the Yankees up 1-0. The scoring continued in the third inning when Gleyber Torres sent a solo shot into the right-field stands for his 14th homer of the season, extending the lead to 2-0.

Aaron Judge followed with his 53rd home run of the year, a 445-foot blast to center field that left no doubt. The Yankees’ slugger now has two homers in his last three games, and this no-doubter helped push the lead to 4-0 as Juan Soto had already reached base with a single.

After O’Neill’s two-run shot brought the Red Sox closer, the Yankees turned to their bullpen to protect the lead. Ian Hamilton and Tim Hill combined to get through the sixth and seventh innings, allowing just one baserunner. In the seventh, the Yankees tacked on an insurance run with Stanton hitting a sac fly to bring the lead to 5-2.

In the eighth inning, Aaron Boone turned to Clay Holmes, who worked through a bit of trouble after allowing a flare double to Connor Wong. Holmes managed to escape the inning without allowing a run, preserving the lead.

Despite Holmes throwing only five pitches, Boone opted for Jake Cousins to start the ninth inning. Cousins, however, quickly found himself in trouble, hitting a batter and walking another to bring the tying run to the plate. Boone then called on Tommy Kahnle, and the veteran right-hander needed just four pitches to induce a double-play ball from Jarren Duran, securing the victory.

With the win, the Yankees (87-63) moved three games ahead of the Orioles in the AL East standings with 12 games left in the regular season. The Yankees’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot is now down to three.

The Yankees’ offensive charge was led by the top of the order, with Judge and Torres both homering and Stanton driving in two runs. Stanton, whose struggles this season have been well-documented, has found a rhythm lately, and his double in the second inning was a key moment in the game.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, failed to take advantage of their opportunities, going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Rodon and the Yankees’ bullpen effectively navigated Boston’s lineup, preventing any further damage after O’Neill’s homer.

Yankees Roster

Up next

With an off day on Monday, the Yankees will travel to Seattle for a three-game series against the Mariners, another team fighting for a playoff spot. Luis Gil will take the mound in the opener on Tuesday night, facing off against Seattle’s Bryan Woo. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 PM ET.

In what was a high-stakes and tense series, the Yankees emerged victorious, solidifying their place atop the division and showing that they’re ready for the final stretch of the regular season.

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