New York Yankees Eliminate Boston Red Sox in Postseason Sweep

Max Fried delivered six dominant innings and Cody Bellinger drove in four runs as the New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 9-2 on Wednesday in New York, securing a two-game sweep in their opening-round postseason series. Fried allowed just three hits and struck out six, outdueling a Boston team that batted .117 across the short matchup and managed only two total runs.

Fried and Bullpen Silence Boston Bats

Max Fried maintained his mastery over the Red Sox for the second postseason. The left-hander earned his first playoff win since the decisive game of the 2021 World Series with the Atlanta Braves. According to game statistics, Fried walked one batter and surrendered only one run across 12 and one-third innings in his postseason appearances against Boston.

The Red Sox briefly broke a 26-inning postseason scoreless drought when Willson Contreras hit a home run to cut the New York lead to 2-1. However, the Yankees broke the game open in the sixth inning with a six-run surge. Nick Sogard later hit a solo home run off Will Warren in the seventh inning, but Boston could not overcome the pitching deficit.

Decisive Sixth-Inning Rally Breaks Open Elimination Game

Clinging to a narrow 2-1 advantage in the sixth, the Yankees capitalized on Boston relief pitching. Garrett Crochet, making his first appearance since April 25 due to a left shoulder injury, struggled out of the bullpen by allowing four runs on three hits without recording an out. Acquired at the trade deadline, Luis Garcia went 3-for-3 in his playoff debut, while Cody Bellinger capped the frame with a three-run home run that stretched the New York lead to 8-1.

The Red Sox entered the postseason after battling back from a 32-46 start to the regular season, but their offense completely stalled. Boston recorded 18 strikeouts in the two-game series and was outscored 18-2 overall, bowing out in the opening round for the second year.

Upcoming American League Division Series Matchups

With the opening-round sweep complete, the New York Yankees advance to face the American League East champion Tampa Bay Rays. The next round of the postseason is scheduled to begin on Saturday.