Sox hang on to advance
NEW YORK Craig Kimbrel and the Boston Red Sox held off the Yankees’ ninth-inning rally that ended with a video replay, eliminating New York with a 43 victory Tuesday night that set up a post-season rematch with the World Series champion Houston Astros.
Trailing in Game 4 of the AL Division Series, the Yankees scored twice in the ninth and had runners at first and second with two outs. Gleyber Torres hit a slow roller that third baseman Eduardo Nunez charged and threw in a hurry.
Boston first baseman Steve Pearce stretched for an outstanding catch that nipped Torres. The Yankees immediately challenged and, with a sellout crowd standing and hoping, the out call was upheld after a 63-second review.
J.D. Martinez and the 108win Red Sox reached the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2013. A year after losing to Houston in a four-game ALDS, they will open the best-of-seven matchup against the 103-win Astros on Saturday night at Fenway Park. Rookie Boston manager Alex Cora was Houston’s bench coach last October.
“We’re ready for another shot,” Red Sox pitcher Rick Porcello said.
A New Jersey native who grew up a Mets fan, Porcello held the Yankees to one run over five innings for his first post-season win. Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier followed with a perfect inning each to protect a 4-1 lead, and Red Sox ace Chris Sale followed with a 1-23 eighth in a rare relief appearance.
New York had not put a leadoff runner on until Kimbrel, a seven-time All-Star closer, walked Aaron Judge on four pitches leading off the ninth. After Kimbrel hit Neil Walker to force in a run, Gary Sanchez sent a drive that had the crowd roaring only for Andrew Benintendi to catch it on the left-field warning track, a few feet short of a game-ending grand slam. Torres followed with the dramatic bouncer.
Martinez, Ian Kinsler and Nunez drove in runs in the third inning off a wobbly CC Sabathia. Christian Vazquez led off the fourth with an opposite-field home run off Zach Britton.