The Yankees took a 9 1/2-game lead on Boston into their series against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium last week, their first crack at their division rival in 2025.

The Yankees (42-28), who entered the series off a three-game sweep of the Royals in Kansas City, were held to five hits on Sunday and have totaled five runs in their last four games. They have helped give life to the Red Sox (37-36), who have won eight of their last 10, including the last five against the Yankees.

The sellout crowd at Fenway Park roared when Brayan Bello came back out of the dugout for the seventh inning on Sunday afternoon. Their cheers only got louder from there. The slender righthander was at his best against the Yankees, pitching seven brilliant innings as the Sox again beat their rivals, 2-0.