BOSTON -- As the Red Sox chase that burst of momentum that has eluded them through a season that’s nearly half over, Payton Tolle temporarily provided perfection when he retired the first 16 batters he faced on Friday night against the Yankees.
Backed by Tolle’s dazzling, seven-inning performance (one hit, no runs) and some early thump from the much-maligned offense, Fenway Park had a buzz to it with the Sox pulling out a 6-1 victory that gave them the first two games in this four-game rivalry series.
The climb is still steep for a Boston team that improved to 34-46, but it has to start somewhere. A good showing against the Yankees is perhaps as good a way as any to at last get on a hot streak.
On Friday night, this is what mattered most:
1. Contreras in the middle of the action
Boston’s hottest hitter for most of the season, Willson Contreras, had slumped of late, generating just five hits in his last 38 at-bats entering this one. But he provided plenty of evidence on Friday that he’s over that. The first baseman ripped an RBI single for the first run of the game in the first inning. In the third, he hammered a solo homer to make it 4-0, Boston. The Sox are a different offense when Contreras is hot.
In the fifth, it was Contreras who got hot when Yankees righty Will Warren threw a couple of pitches high and tight, including one for ball four. Contreras flipped his bat dramatically on his way to first and jawed at Warren. The benches briefly emptied, and warnings were issued to both sides. Contreras is one of the most emotional players in the game and is no stranger to such incidents. He has always been unapologetic for the emotional way he plays, and says he wouldn’t be as effective without his intensity.
2. Behind Tolle, starters continue to dominate
Say what you want about the 2026 Red Sox, and there’s a lot to say that hasn’t been good, but you can’t take anything away from the starting rotation. With Tolle turning in his dominant effort, the Sox have turned in nine straight quality starts.
During the run, the rotation has logged 57 2/3 innings, posting a 1.72 ERA while striking out 63 and walking 15.
3. Cheng steps right in
With Marcelo Mayer going on the 10-day injured list before the game, Tsung-Che Cheng was summoned from Triple-A Worcester and was inserted right into the lineup at shortstop for his debut with the Red Sox.
Playing in his fourth Major League game, Cheng came up with his first career RBI on a fielder’s choice groundout in the second. In the fourth, Cheng belted his first career hit, a double off the wall in center. He got a nice ovation from the crowd, and the baseball was tossed back into the dugout for safekeeping.