Yankees at Red Sox (Game 1)
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will try to summon up the energy for a Sunday doubleheader to cap what has been a wild four-game series thus far at Fenway Park. After the Yankees blew a ninth-inning lead and lost Friday's series opener, they utilized a game-tying Matt Holliday homer in the ninth and used a three-run rally in the 16th to claim Saturday's meeting 4-1.
The marathon victory, which lasted nearly six hours, allowed New York to pull within 3 1/2 games of the first-place Red Sox but left both teams with uncertainty heading into a twinbill Sunday. They each used seven relievers in the longest game between the rivals at Fenway Park since 1966 - a scenario which figures to prompt some roster moves Sunday. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is 0-for-9 in the series, while fellow right fielder Mookie Betts went 0-for-6 for the Red Sox in the 16-inning loss. New York turns to CC Sabathia in the matinee and Masahiro Tanaka in the nightcap, while Rick Porcello precedes David Price for the Red Sox.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, TBS, YES (New York), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (7-3, 3.81 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (4-11, 4.75)
Bryan Mitchell originally was slated to start this game but manager Joe Girardi bumped up Sabathia a day hoping for more length out of his veteran lefty to help out the bullpen. The 36-year-old Sabathia pitched just once after coming off the disabled list earlier this month, lasting 2 2/3 innings and giving up four runs in a loss to Toronto on July 4. Sabathia spun eight scoreless against Boston on June 7 at home but has a 5.25 ERA in 16 career starts at Fenway Park.
After leading the majors in wins a year ago with 22, Porcello entered the All-Star break topping the circuit in losses, although he has given the Red Sox plenty of innings. The former first-round pick, who allowed a run over eight strong innings in a defeat at Tampa Bay before the intermission, has finished at least six frames in 16 consecutive outings. Porcello suffered the loss in each of two encounters with the Yankees this year and is 7-7 with a 3.47 ERA in 16 career starts versus the division rivals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Boston placed RHP Joe Kelly (hamstring) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled RHP Brandon Workman on Saturday, while RHP Blaine Boyer left the game with elbow tightness.
2. Holliday's homer off Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel allowed the Yankees to remain the only team in the majors that has yet to be shut out.
3. New York is 4-39 when trailing after eight innings after going 3-71 a year ago.