BOSTONThe Red Sox extended their streak of futility against the Yankees this season, losing the first game of Saturdays doubleheader, 6-1, at Fenway Park.
Franklin Morales, who had allowed just two home runs in 43 innings entering the gameand none in his previous three starts this seasongave up four in three-plus innings.
Morales gave up a lead-off single to Derek Jeter. Then, with two outs, hit Robinson Cano with a pitch before giving up a three-run homer to Nick Swisher. Andruw Jones, the next batter, put the Yankees up by four runs after a nine-pitch at-bat.
The Yankees again had back-to-back home runs off Morales when Jones led off the fourth with his ninth home run of the year, followed by Jayson Nixs third.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, could do very little with Yankees starter Freddy Garcia. He faced one batter over the minimum through the first three innings, when David Ortiz walked in the first.
The Sox finally got to Garcia in the fourth. With one out, Ortiz, Adrian Gonzalez, and Mauro Gomez hit consecutive singles, with Ortiz scoring on Gomezs. But Ryan Kalish grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Gonzalezs single extended his hitting streak to 17 games, matching a career high.
Boston Red Sox
Morales took the loss, falling to 1-2, while his ERA rose from 2.51 to 3.50. He went 3 13 innings, giving up six runs on six hits, two walks, four home runs, and a hit batter with two strikeouts.
Garcia earned the win, improving to 3-2 (5.23).
The Red Sox are now 0-4 against the Yankees this season. It is the Sox worst record to start a season against the Yankees since losing their first six in 1994.