NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt homered, and Cody Bellinger’s throw ended a Red Sox rally as the New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 1-0 Friday night in the opener of a four-game series.
Cam Schlittler (12-6) earned the win, striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings despite walking five. The Red Sox struggled with runners in scoring position, going 1 for 7 and stranding 10 runners. A baserunning error by Ceddanne Rafaela, who was doubled off first base, also hurt Boston in the fifth inning with Willson Contreras on deck.
The Yankees remain four games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East, and now lead Boston by three games in the race for the top American League wild-card spot and home-field advantage in a potential playoff series. Last year, Schlittler pitched a gem in Game 3 of a playoff series against the Red Sox.
Schlittler, who leads the AL with a 2.09 ERA, is 3-1 with a 0.56 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings over five career starts against Boston, including the postseason. In the seventh inning, after Boston put runners at second and third with one out, Bellinger threw out Rafaela at the plate on a fly ball by Contreras with a 99.7 mph throw.
Goldschmidt launched a 430-foot home run to left field off Patrick Sandoval (1-3) in the third inning. Paul Blackburn worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning, and David Bednar pitched a perfect ninth for his 31st save.
A day-night doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday to make up a June 6 rainout. Max Fried (4-4, 2.81 ERA) will start the early game for the Yankees, with Carlos Rodón (4-2, 3.15) pitching in the other. Jake Bennett (8-6, 3.49) will start for the Red Sox.
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