So far, this beat-up, COVID-strapped, Scranton-infused version of the Yankees has had more success against the first-place Red Sox than the usual team.
They won a second straight over Boston on Sunday night in The Bronx, 9-1, and finished the series seven back of the AL East-leading Red Sox, the closest they’ve been since June 27.
Jameson Taillon provided 5 ²/₃ scoreless innings and Gleyber Torres went deep again, but they also got production and good baserunning from recent call-ups Greg Allen and Ryan LaMarre — up because of the recent COVID outbreak that’s affected the Yankees.
“Some of the players we do have in the lineup can play that game,’’ Aaron Boone said of the hit-and-runs and stolen bases that were on display. “You’ve got to be able to adapt based on personnel. We did a good job doing some small things that added up big for us.”
With the victory, the Yankees also took the series from Boston after dropping their first seven meetings of the season.
“We know this is a big stretch of games,’’ LaMarre said of the mindset of the recent call-ups. “We’ve been playing together in Scranton and we’re definitely gonna try to be aggressive, try to make things happen on the bases and play defense.”
Torres, who hadn’t hit a home run since June 5 before he homered in Saturday’s win, had another to lead off the bottom of the second on Sunday off lefty Martin Perez, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead.
In the third, Allen singled to left with one out and moved to third on a hit-and-run single through the left side of the infield by DJ LeMahieu.
With runners on the corners, Giancarlo Stanton grounded into a force out, scoring Allen from third to make it 2-0.
Taillon didn’t allow a hit until Xander Bogaerts doubled down the left-field line with two outs in the fourth. Rafael Devers followed with a four-pitch walk, but Taillon got Hunter Renfroe to pop out to preserve the two-run lead.
Rougned Odor led off with a bunt single and moved to third on LaMarre’s single to right. Renfroe’s throw to third got there in time to get Odor, but the ball bounced away from Devers for an error on Renfroe and LaMarre advanced to second on the play.
Perez was replaced by former Yankees prospect Garrett Whitlock.
Allen, hitting from the left side against the right-handed Whitlock, drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to build the lead to 3-0.
J.D. Martinez singled with one out in the sixth and Bogaerts doubled to send Martinez to third and end Taillon’s outing.
Chad Green, pitching for the first time since his meltdown in Houston the previous Sunday, got Devers on a questionable check swing. Devers and Boston manager Alex Cora argued the call, but there were no ejections.
Renfroe grounded out to end the threat.
Green pitched a perfect seventh and Odor provided some insurance with a two-run shot in the bottom of the inning.
The Red Sox bullpen unravelled in the seventh, as Darwinzon Hernandez failed to retire any of the four batters he faced and Brandon Workman walked in a pair of runs.
Zack Britton made his return from a hamstring injury and walked two in two-thirds of an inning in his first appearance since June 25.
LaMarre homered in the bottom of the inning and Aroldis Chapman pitched a perfect ninth as he tries to right himself.
The Yankees also lost another outfielder, as Trey Amburgey left with right hamstring cramps, replaced by Brett Gardner.
“It’s been a hard week,’’ Boone said.
But one that ended on a high note.
