Red Sox beat Yankees, Tanaka with 8-run inning
Boston Red Sox center fielder Rusney Castillo steals second base past the tag of New York Yankees shortstop Jose Pirela during the second inning at Fenway Park (Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports).
The Boston Red Sox scored eight runs in the second inning today, chasing New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka, and held on for a 10-4 victory over their arch rivals at Fenway Park.
The game between the two teams, whose players will soon be turning in baseball bats for gold clubs, had little meaning except for the attention being paid to Derek Jeter in the final series of his career.
Jeter, playing designated hitter, had a single in two at-bats before giving way to Francisco Cervelli in the fifth inning.
After posting a run in the bottom of the first against Tanaka, the Red Sox (71-90) sent 14 batters to the plate in the second inning, scoring eight times on seven hits, three walks and two errors.
Tanaka (13-5, 2.77), making his second start since returning from the disabled list, lasted just 1.2 innings giving up seven hits, seven runs (five earned), and two walks. He struck out two over 50 pitches, just 25 for strikes, in taking the loss.
The Yankee ace gave way to Preston Claiborne, who pitched the remaining third of the inning. He faced six batters giving up three hits, a walk and two runs.
Bryan Mitchell (four innings, four hits, one run and three strikeouts) and Chase Whitley (two inning, two hits, four strikeouts) closed out the game for the Bronx Bombers (83-78).
The Red Sox collected 16 hits, three each by Daniel Nava and Rusney Castillo. Nava also notched three RBI.
Nava and Xander Bogaerts were the only two Red Sox in today’s lineup who were with the club on Opening Day. Manager John Farrell filled his card with rookies and newcomers, including Mookie Betts, Yoenis Cespedes, Allen Craig, Garin Cecchini, Rusney Castillo, Bryce Brentz and Christian Vazquez.
Joe Kelly (6-4, 4.20) pitched 7.1 innings for the win. He surrendered four runs (all earned) on nine hits and two walks. He struck out three before exiting after 97 pitches.
Tommy Layne faced just one batter, giving up a hit. Rubby De La Rosa pitched 1.2 innings of relief, giving up two hits and striking out four.
Kelly, who had his own stint on the disabled list while with St. Louis, told reporters after the game that, spotted with a 10-run lead, “I wanted to throw a complete game really, really bad.” The 26-year-old righty, acquired at the trade deadline, figures to have secured a spot in next season’s Red Sox rotation.
Clay Buchholz takes the mound tomorrow at 1:35 p.m. as the Red Sox end their season. He’ll be opposed by Michael Pineda for New York.