Empire State Review Contributor 
NEW YORK CITY — The Boston Red Sox capped off a high-octane weekend series with an 11–7 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday night at Yankee Stadium. The nationally televised game, broadcast on ESPN, featured explosive offense, a fiery pitching rivalry, and a statement win that pulled Boston closer in the American League East standings.
Early Fireworks and Rookie Resilience
Boston rookie Hunter Dobbins, making his first career start at Yankee Stadium, faced immediate adversity. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge launched a towering two-run homer in the first inning, giving New York an early 2–0 lead. Despite the rocky start, Dobbins settled in, allowing three runs over five innings and earning the win. His performance came after controversial pregame comments in which he declared he would “rather retire than play for the Yankees,” intensifying the storied rivalry.
Offensive Onslaught
The Red Sox offense erupted with five home runs, tying their record for most in a game at the current Yankee Stadium. Former Yankee Carlos Narváez delivered the decisive blow—a three-run homer in the sixth inning off Carlos Rodón, turning a 3–2 deficit into a 5–3 lead. Abraham Toro and Trevor Story added back-to-back solo shots in the eighth, and Rafael Devers contributed a ninth-inning homer to seal the victory.
Yankees’ Struggles
Yankees starter Carlos Rodón, who entered the game with a 7–0 record and a 1.27 ERA over his last nine starts, struggled with control, allowing five runs over five innings. The bullpen fared no better, surrendering additional runs that put the game out of reach. Judge’s two home runs and DJ LeMahieu’s solo shot provided offensive highlights, but defensive lapses and missed opportunities plagued the Yankees throughout the game.
Series Implications
With the win, the Red Sox took two out of three games in the series, narrowing the Yankees’ lead in the AL East to 8.5 games. Boston’s offense tallied 27 runs over the three-game set, showcasing their potential to contend in the division. The Yankees, meanwhile, will look to regroup as they head to Kansas City for a series against the Royals.
Looking Ahead
The Red Sox return to Fenway Park, aiming to build on their momentum and address ongoing pitching concerns. The Yankees will seek to rebound and maintain their position atop the division. As the season progresses, both teams will continue to vie for supremacy in one of baseball’s most competitive divisions.
