For the second time in three days the Yankees squared off against the Red Sox, and this time they came away with the win thanks to some fairly efficient work from their relievers and a pair of productive innings at the plate. The Yankees sent out their B-squad (plus Brian McCann) in Fort Myers against what could be Boston's Opening Day lineup. Adam Warren and Rick Porcello were the starters in this one, and both could describe their performances as "so-so." Both gave up two earned runs in three innings, but neither's stuff looked quite as poor as their lines would suggest.
The Yankees kicked off their scoring for the night in the top of the fourth. Porcello came out to start the inning for the Sox, but after allowing two quick singles to Garrett Jones and Brian McCann he was pulled for Dalier Hinojosa. Following a John Ryan Murphy strikeout, Rob Refsnyder would keep things going with a single to load the bases for Jonathan Galvez. Galvez flew one into the right field corner that bounced off Daniel Nava's glove as he ran out of space, and the bases would clear to give the Yanks a 3-2 lead.
In the top of the seventh the Yanks got to Sox reliever Edward Mujica. Galvez was again involved in the scoring, leading off with a bloop single that was just barely caught on a slide by centerfielder Brock Holt (from the replay it looked like he may have actually caught it). Aaron Judge then sharply lined a double that quickly rolled to Jet Blue Park's faux-green monster in left field and Mason Williams roped a double for two RBI, bringing the score to 5-2.
Chasen Shreve, Jose Ramirez, Branden Pinder, Nick Goody, and Jacob Lindgren made up the relieving unit, and most of them claimed successful outings. Pinder allowed a run on a fielder's choice that followed a Travis Shaw double to make the score 5-3, and Lindgren picked up the save despite pitching himself into trouble by walking two runners on.
The Yanks take on the Tigers at home tomorrow at 1:05 PM. The game will be televised on YES.