[OmahaBaseball]

Cortes, Yankees Silence Red Sox to Even ALDS at 1–1

New York City, NY — Behind a masterful outing from left-hander Nestor Cortes and just enough power in the middle innings, the New York Yankees clipped the Boston Red Sox, 2–1, on Sunday night at Yankee Stadium to square their American League Division Series at one game apiece.

Cortes (1-0) was in complete control, holding Boston to two hits over 7 1/3 innings while striking out seven and walking two; Game Score 77. Mixing his fastball and cutter effectively, Cortes repeatedly disrupted the Red Sox’ timing and stranded potential rallies before they could develop. He threw 96 pitches and exited to a standing ovation after retiring the side in the eighth.

The Yankees’ offense came in a decisive burst in the fourth inning. Jasson Domínguez opened the scoring with a solo home run to right field, and Aaron Judge followed moments later with a towering drive of his own, giving New York a 2–0 lead. The back-to-back shots accounted for all three Yankee hits on the night, but proved enough in a tightly played postseason game.

Boston starter Kutter Crawford (1-1) matched Cortes for much of the evening, pitching 7 2/3 innings and allowing only three hits and two runs while walking five; Game Score 65. Despite the solid effort, the Red Sox offense never found its footing, striking out 10 times and managing only a single run in the eighth inning when Marcelo Mayer drove in Triston Casas with a base hit.

Closer Clay Holmes (SV 1) finished the job for New York, striking out three over the final 1 2/3 innings to earn the save. The game was played before a crowd of 53,109 on a cool, partly cloudy night in the Bronx. With the win, the Yankees even the best-of-five series, which now shifts to Fenway Park for Game 3 on Tuesday as the rivalry renews on Boston’s home field.

Player of the Game: Nestor Cortes

American League Division Series Round: Tied 1-1