The Red Sox took their second straight game over their New York rivals Wednesday night.
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Riding their momentum from Monday’s Opening Day win, the Red Sox continued to display their new aggressive style of offense in their 7-4 win over the injury-plagued Yankees Wednesday night. The win marks the first time since 1999 that Boston has won back-to-back games to open a season.
As was the case in the opener, the Red Sox only recorded two extra base hits, but were still able to put up seven runs by working long counts and taking the extra base when they could. It was also a balanced attack as every member of the starting lineup recorded a hit besides Will Middlebrooks.
Daniel Nava, Dustin Pedroia, Jarrod Saltalamachhia, Shane Victorino and Jose Iglesias all recorded two hits in the win. Jacoby Ellsbury (2 RBIs), Mike Napoli and Jackie Bradley Jr. all hit safely as well. Bradley’s single up the middle in the third inning was good for his first major league hit and RBI.
The Yankees suffered a tough blow when starter Hiroki Kuroda was forced to leave the game in the second inning after attempting to stop a ball batted up the middle. The ball grazed off the tip of his fingers, and after walking one and hitting two in the batters following, he exited the game.
Clay Buchholz opened his season in style throwing a gem, on a cold, windy night in New York. The right-hander went seven innings, allowing one run on six hits while striking out four. The one blemish came in the fourth on a solo home run by Travis Hafner.
In his first appearance of the season Alfredo Aceves allowed a three-run home run to Vernon Wells in the eighth, but Joel Hanrahan shut the door in the ninth to earn his first save as a member of the Red Sox.
The two teams will conclude their three-game series Thursday (7p.m., NESN). Ryan Dempster will make his Red Sox debut and will be opposed by veteran Andy Pettitte.
Follow Red Sox beat writer Ryan Hannable on Twitter @hannable84.
