Boston, MA – The Yankees have to start wondering if they're becoming invincible against the Red Sox this year.
With the quick starts they've been getting lately, they might be invincible against anyone.
Andruw Jones sparked yet another big first inning for New York with the first of his two home runs Saturday, and the Yankees beat the Red Sox again, 6-1, at Fenway Park in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.
Jones recorded his 43rd career multi-homer game and first of the season for New York, which holds the majors' best record at 51-32. The 10-time Gold Glove recipient also made a spectacular catch against the Green Monster that led to a double play.
"It's fun," Jones said of being part of back-to-back homers twice. "A lot of people don't give us credit, saying we don't score with runners in scoring position. We just hit homers."
With four runs in the first inning, it marked the fourth time in five games that the team has scored multiple runs in the opening frame.
Nick Swisher and Jayson Nix also homered for the Yankees, and Freddy Garcia (3-2) gave up only one run and six hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Franklin Morales (1-2) was roughed up to the tune of six runs on four homers in 3 1/3 frames. The Red Sox lineup, which didn't feature many regular starters due to injury and the twinbill, managed only seven hits in defeat, its fourth straight against New York.
The Yankees, who last won the season series in 2007, look to be well on their way to accomplishing that feat.
With two runners on and two outs, Morales failed to keep New York off the scoreboard, allowing a deep Swisher three-run homer over the Green Monster. Jones followed suit to make it 4-0 before the Red Sox ever came to the plate.
"I'm not frustrated. I think we had a chance to win, we just have to keep them from scoring in the first inning and give [our] offense a chance to play their game," said Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine. "Catching up is tough."
Garcia kept Boston hitless through the first three innings, and his offense provided some more power in the fourth. Leading off the inning, Jones and Nix hit back-to-back homers to extend the lead to six.
The Red Sox finally got a hit on David Ortiz's single in the fourth, and Adrian Gonzalez followed with a base hit to extend his hitting streak to 17 games. Mauro Gomez made it three straight hits with an RBI single to right, but Ryan Kalish halted the rally by grounding into an inning-ending double play.
Boston put runners on first and third with a two-out rally in the fifth, but Pedro Ciriaco, who was called up to replace the injured Dustin Pedroia, grounded out to Garcia.
Ortiz led off the sixth with a walk, but was doubled off first when Jones made a leaping catch at the wall. Boston put only one runner into scoring position the rest of the way.
Game Notes
Jones is third among active players in multi-homer games behind teammate Alex Rodriguez (60) and Jim Thome (48)...The Yankees came into Saturday 13-1-15 in doubleheaders since 2000...New York took the lead in the all-time series at Fenway Park, 460-459-4...Boston is 2-7 in its last nine games.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.