Boston’s Masataka Yoshida connects for a first-inning home run against the New York Yankees during Friday’s game in New York. Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press
NEW YORK — Rookie Masataka Yoshida hit a three-run homer four batters into the game and drove in four runs, and Brayan Bello pitched six innings Friday night to lead the Boston Red Sox to an 8-3 victory over the skidding New York Yankees, who dropped two games under .500.
Justin Turner singled in each of his first three at-bats and hit a pair of RBI singles. Alex Verdugo also had an RBI single to start Boston’s three-run second that followed a fielding error by New York second baseman Gleyber Torres.
“Just to kind of step on the throats instantly was a good tone setter, especially to start the series,” Verdugo said.
Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer in the eighth off Garrett Whitlock, but the Yankees dropped their sixth straight – their longest skid since losing seven in a row Sept. 4-10, 2021. New York also dropped two games under .500 this late in a season for the first time since it was 57-59 following an 11-6 win over the Angels on Aug. 31, 1995.
“It’s frustrating and disappointing,” Yankees Manager Aaron Boone said. “I get these questions all the time but you got to keep moving forward and you got to do all you can to not succumb to that and do your best to fix it every day.”
The Red Sox took a 4-0 lead 19 pitches in against rookie Jhony Brito (4-6) when Yoshida hit a changeup into the right-center field seats. Yoshida homered after the Yankees were charged with consecutive mound visits to go over signs because the PitchCom device was not working for the Red Sox, meaning the Yankees were unable to use it.
Boston Manager Alex Cora said the device was not working in the bullpen and there is a chance it will not work again Saturday.
“Interesting timing of that right there and not an ideal situation obviously, right before you’re getting ready for the first pitch,” Boone said.
Boston opened with four straight hits and Turner preceded Yoshida’s 13th homer with an RBI base hit after Verdugo and Rafael Devers reached.
Yoshida gave the Red Sox a 7-0 lead and drove in four runs for the third time in his career. Devers added a run-scoring base hit in the ninth.
“I think my swing is getting better, so I’m still working on it,” Yoshida said through a translator.
Bello (8-7) allowed one run and six hits to win for the third time in four starts. He beat the Yankees for the second time this season by getting nine groundouts, including a pair of double plays.
“I felt a little bit relaxed,” Bello said through a translator. “Obviously with that lead – seven runs after two innings – it was really good. So my mindset changed completely, just to try to attack batters and try out of the innings as quickly as I could.”
Bello’s only semblance of trouble occurred in the fourth, when the Yankees had first and third following consecutive hits by Torres and Billy McKinney. On the next pitch, Bello retired Harrison Bader on a soft grounder.
After allowing Judge’s 23rd homer, Whitlock struck out Giancarlo Stanton to end the eighth. Brennan Bernardino allowed two hits to start the ninth and Chris Martin finished off Boston’s sixth win in seven meetings against the Yankees.
The Yankees avoided being shut out in three straight games for the first time since September 2016 when Anthony Volpe doubled and scored on DJ LeMahieu’s groundout in the third.
Brito allowed seven runs (six earned) and nine hits in 2 1/3 innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: RHP Tanner Houck (facial fracture) will be activated to start Monday or Tuesday at Houston.
Yankees: 1B Anthony Rizzo (concussion) said his reaction times are improved and he is not experiencing fogginess anymore. Rizzo, who has not played since Aug. 1, took swings in the indoor batting cage and said he is not considering shutting it down for the rest of the season. … LHP Carlos Rodón (strained left hamstring) will be activated Tuesday and start against the Nationals.
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