Red Sox Complete Sweep Of Yankees With Benintendi Walk-Off In 10th
The Boston Red Sox completed a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees in dramatic fashion on Sunday night, as Andrew Benintendi smacked a walk-off base hit to finish off a 5-4 win in the 10th inning. The Sox’ lead over the Yanks in the American League East is now up to 9 1/2 games after the sweep.
Boston took a 1-0 lead into the seventh inning after David Price hurled six shutout innings to start the game, but the Yankees battled back to take a 4-1 lead. Red Sox reliever Heath Hembree allowed four runners to score, two of which were inherited from Price. The other two runs were unearned, scoring on an error by shortstop Xander Bogaerts. Ryan Brasier had to come in to stop the bleeding and get the final two outs.
It was in the ninth inning that the Red Sox roared back, rallying to score three runs off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman – all with two outs. After walking three batters and striking out the other two, Chapman yielded a single up the middle to J.D. Martinez that cut the Yankees’ lead to 4-3.
Then, with a chance to close the game out, Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar made a low throw that first baseman Greg Bird couldn’t handle, which allowed Jackie Bradley Jr. to score the tying run.
The bottom of the 10th inning started with two quick outs for reliever Jonathan Holder. But after he allowed a base hit to Sandy Leon and throwing a wild pitch that moved Leon to second base, the Yankees elected to intentionally walk Mookie Betts. Benintendi made them pay with a line drive single up the middle, which scored pinch runner Tony Renda to give the Red Sox the win.
Benintendi is emerging as the Red Sox’ newest “Yankee Killer” after the win. He’s now batting .293 with six home runs, 27 RBIs, and an .849 OPS in 39 career games against New York. In 12 games this season, he’s batting .353 with a homer, 11 RBIs, and a .990 OPS.
Aug 5, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (16) gets a celebratory bath from right fielder Mookie Betts (50) after his single in the tenth inning defeated the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Up Next: The Red Sox get a day off Monday before kicking off a three-game set in Toronto against the Blue Jays on Tuesday. Brian Johnson (2-3, 3.74 ERA) takes on Mike Hauschild (1-0, 0.00 ERA) in the series opener.
Click here for all Red Sox updates from 98.5 The Sports Hub.
