Yankees sweep Red Sox

Velazquez has 2 RBIS, combines with Rizzo for dramatic final out

Andrew Heaney pitched seven smooth innings, Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run single in his return from COVID -19, and the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 5-2 on Wednesday night to match a season best with their sixth consecutive victory.

Substitute shortstop Andrew Velazquez, born nearby in the Bronx, delivered a pair of RBI singles from the No. 9 spot in the batting order and combined with Rizzo on a terrific defensive play for the dramatic final out. Velazquez was substituting for Gleyber Torres, who’s currently injured.

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, just activated from the injured list, was pulled by manager Aaron Boone with two outs and two on in the ninth. Lucas Luetge retired Kevin Plawecki on a grounder for his third major league save and first since his 2012 rookie season with Seattle.

Luetge became the sixth different New York reliever to earn a save in the past eight days as the Yankees finished a threegame sweep of their longtime rivals that vaulted them into playoff position ahead of struggling Boston.

New York, which has won 18 of 23, now holds one of two AL wild cards in a tight three-way race that includes the Red Sox

▶

and Oakland Athletics.

Xander Bogaerts and Hunter Renfroe homered for Boston, which has dropped 14 of 20. Nick Pivetta (9-6) was chased in a four-run second inning, and the Yankees improved to 6-10 in the season series after losing the first seven matchups.

The teams meet three more times, Sept. 24-26 in Boston.

Adam Hunger / Associated Press New York pitcher Andrew Heaney winds up during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. Heaney pitched seven innings and struck out four, allowing one run.

Adam Hunger / Associated Press New York’s Brett Gardner watches his sacrifice fly during the second inning of the team's game against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. He had one hit and one RBI on the night.