Webster struggles as Red Sox fall to Yankees 6-4

Boston Red Sox second baseman

is forced out by New York Yankees first baseman

for the final out during the ninth inning at Fenway Park (Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports).

The Boston Red Sox lineup looked different from the first four months of the 2014 season, but it produced the similar results to those previous. The Sox offense sputtered as the team fell to the New York Yankees 6-4 at Fenway Park today.

Allen Webster (1-1, 6.75) made his second start of the season for Boston (49-61). Though staked to an early lead, he lasted only 2.2 innings, allowing four runs on two hits and six walks. Webster continued to struggle with control at the big league level, throwing 71 pitches, only 39 for strikes. He was tagged with the loss.

Webster walked five batters in 5.1 innings in his last start. He walked 18 batters and surrendered 37 hits in 30.1 major leagues innings pitched in 2013.

The Sox got on the board in the second inning when Yoenis Cespedes, making his Red Sox debut in the cleanup spot, singled to left in his first at-bat and scored when Mike Napoli, batting immediately behind him, homered to left.

Daniel Nava then walked and went to second on a groundout. He scored on a Christian Vasquez single to center to put the Sox on top 3-0.

The Yankees (56-53) claimed the lead in the top of the third. After three straight walks loaded the bases, Derek Jeter doubled home Martin Prado and Francisco Cervelli. Brett Gardner then scored on a groundout by Jacoby Ellsbury, with Jeter moving to third. Carlos Beltran singled on a soft liner to left to score Jeter for the go-ahead run.

Burke Badenhop replaced Webster and pitched 1.1 innings, allowing one hit.

The Yankees added to their lead when Mark Teixiera greeted Craig Breslow with a solo home run to left field to open the fifth inning. Breslow completed the fifth, giving up two hits, a walk and the one run.

Alex Wilson took over in the top of the sixth but allowed the Yankees a run in the seventh on doubles by Carlos Beltran and Stephen Drew. Catcher Christian Vazquez ended the inning with a show of defensive prowess, picking off Drew at second base.

Wilson gave way to Tommy Layne with one out in the top of the eighth inning. He pitched an inning and was replaced by Edward Mujica with one out in the top of the ninth.

Mujica allowed singles to Teixeira and Chase Headley but struck out Beltran in between and stranded the runners by getting Stephen Drew to fly out to right field.

Shane Greene started for the visitors and threw 96 pitches over 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out five batters. Shaun Kelley (2-3, 3.38) pitched 1.1 innings striking out three. He earned the win.

The Red Sox’ last run came when against Adam Warren. He started the seventh by getting Vazquez to ground out, then allowed a walk to Brock Holt and a single to Pedroia, on which Holt took third. Dellin Betances replaced Warren to face David Ortiz, who brought Holt home with a sacrifice fly. Cespedes ended the rally with a pop out to third.

David Robertson pitched a scoreless ninth for his 28th save.

Holt and Pedroia each had two hits for the Red Sox. Jackie Bradley struck out three times and is hitless in his last 20 at bats. He’s struck out 10 times in that stretch.

Red Sox newcomer Allen Craig was scratched as the result of a base running injury in last night’s game.

Clay Buchholz ( 5-7, 5.87) squares off for the Sox against David Phelps (5-5, 3.89) in the final game of the series tomorrow at 8 p.m.