Red Sox win in historic rout

BOSTON — Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run homer in a seven-run first inning, then added a solo shot in the eighth as the Red Sox put a historic pounding on the AL East-leading Yankees, beating their archrivals 19-3 on Thursday night in the opener of their four-game series.

The 19 runs were the most scored by the Red Sox against the Yankees in the 117-year history of the rivalry.

Bogaerts had four hits, and Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. had three apiece. Bradley, Michael Chavis and J.D. Martinez each had two of the Red Sox’s 10 doubles.

In perhaps the worst-ever start by a Yankees pitcher against the Red Sox, Masahiro Tanaka (7-6) allowed 12 runs on 12 hits and three walks while striking out four in 31⁄ innings. It was the most earned runs ever allowed by a Yankees pitcher against the Red Sox since the earned run became an official stat in 1913.

Rick Porcello (9-7) had his problems, giving back two runs in the top of the second after being spotted a 7-0 lead. Kyle Higashioka added a solo homer in the fifth to make it 12-3. But the Red Sox right-hander managed to finish six innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five and walking one.

Porcello is 4-1 in his last six starts despite giving up 30 runs in 29 innings.

For the Red Sox, the series is the start of a seven-game homestand against the Yankees and Rays and part of 14 straight against the two teams leading them in the division. The Red Sox entered Thursday a season-high 11 back in the AL East.