Boston: Alex Rodriguez drove in a run with a bases-loaded dribbler, capping a three-run rally in the eighth inning that lifted the New York Yankees over the Red Sox 4-2 on Thursday night and sent the booed designated hitter out of Boston with one last victory.
Rodriguez is set to play his final game for the Yankees on Friday night at home against Tampa Bay. The 41-year-old designated hitter will then be released and become an adviser and instructor for the club.
Rodriguez was 0 for 4 and loudly jeered throughout the game that turned in the Yankees’ favour on a crucial fielding mistake that allowed them to overcome a 2-1 deficit.
Rodriguez lined out, popped out and struck out before his tapper in front of the plate in the eighth allowed Brett Gardner to score from third and put New York up 4-2. In 1994, Rodriguez was a teenager with Seattle when he got an infield single at Fenway Park for his first major league hit.
Dellin Betances earned his third save, striking out Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts with runners at the corners to end it. Luis Cessa (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings. Brad Ziegler (0-3) got the loss.
Meanwhile, Anthony Rizzo drew a bases-loaded walk from Zach Duke with two outs in the 11th inning as the Chicago Cubs beat St. Louis 4-3 for their 10th consecutive victory.
Pinch-hitters Willson Contreras and Jorge Soler led off with singles against Duke (2-1) and Dexter Fowler walked to load the bases with one out. Kris Bryant struck out before Rizzo took a 3-1 pitch inside to give the Cubs their longest winning streak since 12 straight in 2001.
Mike Montgomery (4-5) allowed a single and two walks to load the bases in the 11th before striking out Matt Carpenter. He won for the first time for Chicago since being acquired from Seattle last month.
The Cardinals fell 13 games behind Chicago in the NL Central and lost Matt Holliday in the 10th after he was hit on the right hand by Mike Montgomery’s 94mph fastball.
