Masataka Yoshida delivered in the clutch once again for the Boston Red Sox, keeping his late-season surge alive in a 3-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night.
The Red Sox trailed 1-0 in the seventh inning before Yoshida, coming off the bench as a pinch-hitter, lined a two-run single to give Boston the lead. Alex Bregman added an RBI later in the game, and Aroldis Chapman closed the door in the ninth to secure the win.
Left-hander Garrett Crochet turned in a dominant start for Boston, striking out 11 and allowing just one run over 7 2/3 innings. His performance kept the Red Sox in striking distance until the offense broke through.
Yoshida’s timely hit continued a great run of form. Despite being limited to just 55 games due to injury, the outfielder showed signs of regaining his form in the final stretch. Over his last seven games, he tallied 11 hits, two home runs and four RBIs while batting .379. Half of his home runs this season came in that final week, offering Boston hope he can be a difference-maker in October.
With Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, manager Alex Cora faces a decision on whether to start Yoshida or continue deploying him as a late-inning weapon off the bench.
Boston will send Brayan Bello to the mound, coming off a career-best season in which he went 11-9 with a 3.35 ERA. The Yankees will counter with Carlos Rodón. A Red Sox win would clinch a sweep and set up a Division Series matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays. A Yankees victory would force a decisive Game 3 in New York.