BOSTON — Rick Porcello continued to dominate at Fenway Park with eight solid innings, Matt Barnes cleaned up a mess created by closer Craig Kimbrel and the Boston Red Sox held on to beat the New York Yankees 5-3 on Tuesday night.

Kimbrel walked in a run with the bases loaded in the ninth before handing off to Barnes, who struck out Mark Teixeira for his first save.

After falling behind early, the Red Sox scored three runs in the fifth to lead 5-2. Boston has won 10 of the last 14 meetings between the rivals. Dustin Pedroia had three RBIs.

Porcello (15-3) allowed two runs and struck out six. He improved to 11-0 in 12 starts at home this season.

Luis Severino (1-7) allowed five runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings. It was his first start since being demoted to the minors in May.

Alex Rodriguez did not play after announcing that this week’s four games would be his last with the Yankees. Manager Joe Girardi said the plan is for Rodriguez to start the final game of the series on Thursday night. A-Rod will play his final game in pinstripes Friday night at home against Tampa Bay.

With the Red Sox leading in the ninth, a “We want A-Rod!” chant briefly broke out among sellout crowd.

Rodriguez made his major league debut for Seattle at Fenway in 1994.

Things got tense for a moment in the seventh inning after Chase Headley was thrown out trying to stretch his double off the Green Monster into a triple. Benches cleared after Headley had words with Porcello, and the two briefly came face-to-face. Umpires quickly stepped in and were able to calm things.

The Red Sox played catch up until putting things together in the fifth.

Andrew Benintendi nearly had his first career homer after hitting a shot next to the yellow line that separates the Green Monster and the wall in center. The umpires conferred briefly before signaling a home run. Benintendi rounded the bases and had a few minutes in the dugout before the call was overturned on a review and ruled a double.

It still drove in Sandy Leon, who led off with a triple to the corner in right, and put Boston up 3-2.

Benintendi scored on a double by Pedroia, and the second baseman came around to put Boston up 5-2 when David Ortiz hit a line drive off the Green Monster.

BOBBLEHEAD CANCELED

The Red Sox canceled an Ortiz bobblehead promotion when the figurine turned out to be “racially insensitive,” said team president Sam Kennedy. The bobblehead depicts Ortiz addressing fans at Fenway Park following the Boston Marathon bombings, but Kennedy says it didn’t much resemble the retiring slugger and was not fit for distribution. The rejected bobblehead was made by BDA, Inc., and the company will also produce the replacements. BDA, Inc. did not respond to a request for comment.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Yankees: New York claimed LHP Tommy Layne off waivers and placed him on the active roster Tuesday, one week after the Red Sox designated him for assignment. Layne made his Yankees debut when he came out of the bullpen in the fifth and replaced Severino.

Red Sox: LF/C Blake Swihart (left ankle sprain) needs surgery and is likely done for the season.

UP NEXT

Yankees: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (9-8, 4.80) leads the club in wins despite losing his last two starts, allowing a pair of home runs in each.

Red Sox: LHP Drew Pomeranz (0-2, 6.20 in AL) is still looking for his first win since coming to Boston in a trade with San Diego on July 14. Pomeranz was 8-7 with the Padres and made the NL All-Star team with an ERA of 2.47.

 


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