Sabathia given quick hook vs. Red Sox

BOSTON -- Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia exited after three innings and 77 pitches in the Yankees' 15-7 loss to the Red Sox on Thursday night at Fenway Park.

Sabathia gave up a run on a bases-loaded walk to Mookie Betts in the second inning, then allowed a solo blast to Steve Pearce over the Green Monster in the third. The home run was the third Pearce has hit against Sabathia in his career. In that same inning, Sabathia committed an error when his attempted throw to first base went flying over Greg Bird's head.

Video: NYY@BOS: Swihart reaches second on Sabathia's error

Going into Thursday's matchup, Sabathia had compiled a 1.83 ERA in his last seven starts against Boston, permitting one or fewer runs in seven of his last 11 outings.

Video: NYY@BOS: Betts works a walk with the bases loaded

Instead, Thursday marked his shortest outing of the season. The last time Sabathia threw three or fewer innings was on Aug. 8, 2017, when he left a start against the Blue Jays after allowing four runs in three frames.

The move to pull Sabathia was a surprising one, given the strain already placed on the Yankees' bullpen with J.A. Happ on the disabled list with hand, foot and mouth disease. Demanding more innings of the relief corps will limit Yankees manager Aaron Boone's options as he decides which pitcher to start in Happ's stead on Saturday.

Jonathan Holder relieved Sabathia in the fourth inning with the Yankees leading, 4-2, but he surrendered seven runs, including a three-run shot by Pearce. Boston took a 10-4 lead with the eight-run fourth.