JD Slam Opens Sox-Yanks Rivalry

07/08/2022

By: Marissa Kasch

Josh Donaldson Grand Slam Lifts Yanks Over Red Sox (6-5) to Kickstart Rivalry Weekend

The Yankees held on for a 6-5 victory over rival Boston Red Sox in yesterday’s game which kicked off the weekend’s four-game series. Even more impressive, they did it without Aaron Judge. Both teams are in postseason condition, but the standings would not tell the same story. New York entered the series with a whopping 14-game lead over the Sox (now 15), leaving Boston likely to vie for a wild card spot. This being said, this matchup was certainly not a cakewalk for the Yankees, as they battled the entire game.

 

The Yanks took an early lead in the third thanks to a grand slam by Josh Donaldson, driving in Joey Gallo, Gleyber Torres, and Giancarlo Stanton for a 4-0 lead. Just after Donaldson’s Grand Slam, Aaron Hicks stepped up to the plate and hit a solo-homer to extend the lead to 5-0.

 

The Sox answered in the bottom of the third when Rafael Devers hit a two-run homer to bring the score to 5-2. Over the next four innings, Boston trimmed the lead, but the Pinstripes held on get Geritt Cole the win and jumpstart a weekend of Sox-Yankees. One of the great sports rivalries is back.

 

Additional Storylines

MLB: Yanks Hang On at Fenway After JD Slams Sox

The Spun: Yankees Score Run on Embarrassing Red Sox Error

 

Photo: Dustin Satloff / Getty Images