Red Sox 13, Yankees 9
NEW YORK -- Mike Napoli homered twice while Jonny Gomes homered and drove in four runs, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 13-9 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.
Napoli recorded his 13th career game -- and third of the season -- with two home runs. He hit a two-run shot in the second inning and a solo shot in the ninth. Napoli has 18 RBI against New York this season, with eight coming in this series.
In between Napoli's home runs, Gomes hit a three-run shot in Boston's five-run fourth and rookie Xander Bogaerts added a two-run blast in the fifth for the Red Sox, who have won five straight, eight of nine and 14 of 18. Boston has scored 34 runs in this series and 56 over their last five games while hitting 17 home runs.
After stunning the Yankees in the late innings Thursday and erupting for nine runs in the final three innings Friday, the Red Sox pounced early on New York starter David Huff (2-1). Huff struck out two on 12 pitches in the opening inning, but things changed drastically after that.
Napoli launched a two-run home run into the left-field seats, giving him nine straight plate appearances of reaching base. After Huff gave up a double to Bogaerts and hit Shane Victorino, Gomes hit a first-pitch changeup over the left-field wall for his 12th home run.
Boston added five in the fourth as RBI doubles by Ryan Lavarnway and Victorino chased Huff. Reliever Jim Miller came on for his Yankee debut and allowed two more runs, on a run-scoring single by Gomes and a sacrifice fly by David Ortiz.
The Red Sox reached 12 runs for the second time in less than 24 hours when Bogaerts turned on a 3-1 fastball by Miller and hit it over the Red Sox bullpen beyond the left-field wall. They reached 13 for the second time in four games and fourth time this season when Napoli drove a 1-1 changeup over the left-field wall.
Huff, who took the start in place of Phil Hughes, gave up nine runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Brett Gardner and Mark Reynolds had two RBI apiece for New York, which has dropped three straight and seven of nine home games against the Red Sox this season.
Derek Jeter's single cut the deficit to 12-6 and knocked out Boston starter John Lackey (9-12), who allowed a season-high seven runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Matt Thornton gave up Alfonso Soriano's single but retired Curtis Granderson with two men on to end the sixth.
Jeter was lifted for pinch runner Reynolds, who ripped a two-run double down the left-field line in the eighth against Drake Britton. According to FOX Sports, Jeter was lifted due to an issue with his surgically repaired left ankle.
After Junichi Tazawa recorded the final two outs of the eighth and the first out of the ninth, Craig Breslow finished up in a non-save situation.
NOTES: The Red Sox said OF Jacoby Ellsbury's foot did not respond to treatment Friday night and that he returned to Boston for further testing, including an MRI. The Red Sox did not want to place a timetable for his return until all tests have concluded. "I don't think we're looking at something that's just day-to-day here," manager John Farrell said. "But before we get into any kind of time frame I think what's probably best for all involved here is to wait until we get more conclusive evidence and information." ... Jeter's hit snapped an 0-for-13 skid. ... The Yankees did not announce the results of Boone Logan's MRI after the left-hander felt something in his left elbow Friday. ... Both teams made roster moves as the Red Sox added OF Jackie Bradley Jr. while the Yankees added Miller and moved LHP Vidal Nuno to the 60-day disabled list.
