September 20, 2024

Rafael Devers homers twice as Boston Red Sox beat Yankees, 6-2; Eduardo Rodriguez (migraine) removed in 2nd inning

Devers #Devers

BOSTON — Rafael Devers delivered a big win for the Red Sox on Friday night and joined elite company in the process, accomplishing a feat that only Ted Williams and Tony Conigliaro had before him.

Devers hit two homers — including the 100th of his career — as the Sox won their fourth straight, beating the Yankees, 6-2. Devers became the third Red Sox player ever to hit 100 career homers with the club before turning 25, joining only Williams and Conigliaro.

What turned into a jubilant night for the Red Sox started off in somewhat scary fashion, as starter Eduardo Rodriguez was removed from the game in the second inning with migraine symptoms after allowing an RBI double to Brett Gardner. Rodriguez crouched on the mound for minutes before walking off with manager Alex Cora, pitching coach Dave Bush and team trainers and was relieved by righty Phillips Valdez.

Valdez, making his first major-league appearance since June 9, dominated for three innings, allowing just one hit while striking out seven batters. The Sox had limited chances to do damage against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole early, but put together a rally in the fifth. After Kiké Hernández (single) and Jarren Duran (ground-rule double) got into scoring position, Xander Bogaerts tied the game with a sacrifice fly. One batter later, Devers lifted his first homer of the night — a 412-foot blast over the Green Monster — to put the Sox up, 3-1.

Two innings later, Devers broke things open, launching a 397-foot, three-run homer off reliever Nestor Cortes. Friday’s game was the eighth multi-homer game of Devers’ career and the second this season; he last hit two on April 11 in Baltimore.

Yacksel Ríos (two innings), Garrett Whitlock (one) and Darwinzon Hernandez (one) were each spotless in relief for the Red Sox, who improved to 60-38. The Yankees cut the score to 6-2 in the ninth on a Rougned Odor RBI double off Brandon Workman.

Eovaldi looks to keep streak rolling

Righty Nathan Eovaldi (9-5, 3.57 ERA) will get the nod Saturday afternoon against Jameson Taillon (5-4, 4.60 ERA) in a matchup of Houston-area natives. First pitch from Fenway is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET.

Related links:

Eduardo Rodriguez removed from Boston Red Sox game with migraine symptoms

Boston Red Sox roster moves: Hirokazu Sawamura (tricep) placed on injured list, Phillips Valdez called up from WooSox

Boston Red Sox prospects Kutter Crawford, Durbin Feltman, Grant Williams promoted to Worcester; Connor Seabold to start for WooSox on Friday

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