The New York Yankees fell 6-1 to the Boston Red Sox on Friday night at Fenway Park as rookie left-hander Payton Tolle dominated New York’s lineup and Will Warren struggled in a series-opening loss. The Yankees dropped to 48-33 with their second straight defeat and sixth in their last nine games, while the Red Sox improved to 34-46.
Boston grabbed control early against Warren. Wilyer Abreu tripled in the opening inning before Willson Contreras drove him home, and the Red Sox added two more runs in the second with a pair of run-scoring groundouts. Contreras extended the lead with a solo homer over the Green Monster in the third before Boston tacked on insurance runs in the sixth and eighth.
Warren battled through 5.2 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out four. Although he kept the Yankees within striking distance for much of the night, Boston consistently capitalized on scoring opportunities.
Tolle never allowed New York’s offense to settle in. The rookie retired the first 16 batters he faced before Spencer Jones broke up the perfect-game bid with a sixth-inning single. Tolle finished seven scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit while striking out seven.
Yankees lose third straight to Red Sox The Yankees managed only three hits all night. Austin Wells drove in New York’s lone run with a groundout in the eighth after Anthony Volpe doubled, while Jasson DomÃnguez collected a ninth-inning double. New York finished 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left four men on base.
The Yankees continue their series against the Red Sox on Saturday at Fenway Park, with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Gerrit Cole (3.62 ERA) is expected to start for New York against Boston left-hander Jake Bennett (3.71 ERA).
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.