1 of 5 | Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran hit a 10th-inning walk-off single to beat the New York Yankees on Sunday in Boston. File Photo by CJ Gunther/UPI | License Photo
Fans were mostly subdued by a monotonous offensive night in a series finale with the New York Yankees at Fenway Park.
Until the Boston Red Sox woke up against their rivals, prompting supporters to shimmy in their seats through an extra-innings thriller, which ended with a walk-off single from outfielder Jarren Duran and capped a four-game sweep Sunday in Boston.
“It meant a lot,” Duran told reporters. “I feel like I’ve let this team down a lot this year. That moment just kind of felt like I let a little bit off of my shoulders.”
The Red Sox and Yankees, who logged two hits through seven innings, combined for seven of the game’s nine runs over the final two frames.
Red Sox starter Sonny Gray nearly threw a no-hitter. The right-handed pitcher retired 22 of the first 23 batters he faced, including 14 consecutive to start the night. He allowed his first baserunner through a fifth-inning walk. Outfielder Amed Rosario connected for the Yankees’ first hit through an eighth-inning single.
“It was a fight, for sure,” Gray said. “I’m glad the boys picked me up.”
Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin brought in the game’s first two runs with an RBI single in the fourth. Neither team scored again until the Yankees plated two runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game.
Rosario struck again in the 10th, giving the Yankees their first lead with an RBI single. The Yankees outfielder came around to score on a fielder’s choice two at-bats later.
Red Sox second baseman Anthony Siegler scored Durbin with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning. Shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng plated pinch runner Andruw Monasterio with a game-tying sacrifice fly two at-bats later.
Duran then stepped to the plate for the game’s final at-bat. He connected on a 1-1 pitch from Yankees relief pitcher Fernando Cruz, ending the game with his RBI single to right field.
Duran went 1 for 2 with an RBI and a strikeout in the victory, clinching the Red Sox’s first four-game winning streak this season. Durbin went 1 for 4 with two RBIs, a run scored and a strikeout.
Gray allowed one hit and one walk, with nine strikeouts over 7 1/3 scoreless innings, but was not on record for a decision.
Yankees starter Carlos Rodon allowed one hit and two runs over five innings. He also was not on record for a decision. Rosario was the only Yankees player to reach base more than once. He went 2 for 3 with an RBI, walk and a run scored.
With the four-game sweep, the Red Sox improved their record to 36-46, but still sit in last place in the American League East. The Yankees (48-35) are now second, one game behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays (48-33).
