This weekend’s series against the New York Yankees was huge for the Boston Red Sox, and they made a huge statement Friday night. After a rain delay at Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers seemed to have the first matchup sealed. Closer Clay Holmes gave his team a 99% chance of winning after he got two […]
This weekend’s series against the New York Yankees was huge for the Boston Red Sox, and they made a huge statement Friday night.
After a rain delay at Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers seemed to have the first matchup sealed. Closer Clay Holmes gave his team a 99% chance of winning after he got two outs in the ninth inning, according to ESPN analytics. But on a full count, Masataka Yoshida launched a two-run home run to right field to tie the game. Juan Soto and Aaron Judge were shut down, and Ceddanne Rafaela delivered the game-winning two-run home run in the 10th inning.
Yoshida’s home run continued his hot stretch that began at the end of June, and he called the moment in the ninth inning the “biggest highlight” of his Red Sox career. Players and fans celebrated, but those in attendance saw the designated hitter’s interpreter Yutaro Yamaguchi show the most emotion.
“You should see Yutaro. He was going nuts in the dugout,” Alex Cora told reporters, per MassLive’s Christopher Smith.
Even Yamaguchi couldn’t hide his emotions after the game.
“I was fired up,” Yamaguchi told reporters.
Per MLB.com’s Ian Browne, Yoshida added: “Yeah, I mean, he’s a part of the team,” Yoshida told reporters of Yamaguchi. It’s great that we were able to share that moment.”
Yoshida’s moonshot Friday night put the Red Sox 1 1/2 game ahead of the Kansas City Royals for the third American League wild-card spot and 4 1/2 games behind the Yankees for second in the AL East.
Boston will hope to build off Friday night’s momentum in its Saturday matinee matchup against New York. First pitch is scheduled at 1:05 p.m. ET, and you can catch full coverage on NESN starting with pregame at noon.
