The New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox, 6-5, in the first game of the four-game series at Fenway Park on Thursday night.
Gerrit Cole started on the mound for New York and surrendered five runs on five hits over six innings while walking three and striking out seven. All five runs that he allowed came via the home run.
The Yankees opened the scoring in the third inning as Josh Donaldson crushed a grand slam into the center-field seats. That was his eighth home run of the season. Aaron Hicks followed that with a solo home run over the right-field wall, extending the lead to 5-0. That was his fifth homer of the season.
Rafael Devers put the Red Sox on the board in the third with a two-run shot.
In the fifth, Jose Trevino hit a routine popup in the infield, but it fell in for a run-scoring double, making it 6-2. Devers crushed his second home run of the game in the bottom of the frame, this time a three-run shot, to make it a one-run game.
Wandy Peralta, Michael King, and Clay Holmes combined for three shutout innings to secure the victory.
Nestor Cortes will get the ball on Friday night as the Yankees look to take the first two games of this series. The first pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].