RED SOX STRIKE FIRST

Xander Bogaerts, right, celebrates with Andrew Benintendi after Benintendi hit a home run during the fifth inning against the Yankees on Tuesday in New York.

NEW YORK » Mitch Moreland and Hanley Ramirez hit back-to-back home runs and Andrew Benintendi later connected off struggling Masahiro Tanaka, powering the Boston Red Sox over the New York Yankees 5-4 on Tuesday night.

The Red Sox made their first visit of the season to Yankee Stadium, and the matchup between the longtime rivals and top teams in the AL East had the feel of October, mostly because of the raw weather low 50s, windy and damp.

Overpowering closer Craig Kimbrel struck out five in 1 1/3 innings to seal the win. He fanned one batter on a wild pitch, and struck out big-hitting rookie Aaron Judge on a 99 mph fastball to finish it.

Boston began the day next-to-last in the majors with just 53 homers, but manager John Farrell said before the game that he thought his team would soon pick up the power pace.

Playing at the new Yankee Stadium for the first time without now-retired slugger David Ortiz on the roster, the Red Sox launched a trio of long balls and moved within a game of first-place New York.

A lefty-swinging cleanup hitter, same as Big Papi, got it going when Moreland delivered with a long two-run drive to right-center field in the fourth inning. Ramirez followed with a liner to left for a 4-1 lead.

Benintendi padded the lead with a second-deck shot in the fifth.

Tanaka (5-6) lost his career-worst fifth straight start. He’s been tagged for 27 runs and 11 homers in 22 2/3 innings during that span.

Drew Pomeranz (6-3) labored through a careerhigh 123 pitches in five innings to win his third start in a row.

Kimbrel posted his 17th save in 18 chances. He took over with a runner on third and two outs in the eighth, and struck out Didi Gregorius but the ball bounced for a wild pitch and catcher Christian Vazquez slipped trying to corral it, allowing a run to score and Gregorius to reach.

Kimbrel then walked Chase Headley before striking out Chris Carter.

Carter hit a solo home run in the fifth.

FRANK FRANKLIN II — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FRANK FRANKLIN II — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi, left, celebrates with teammates Mookie Betts, right, and Jackie Bradley Jr. after Tuesday’s win over the Yankees.