The Boston Red Sox won their three-game series against the New York Yankees and trolled Nestor Cortes, who said the rivalry wasn't strong as it used to be.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees matched up for the first time this season, which always gets primetime nods because it is one of the most storied rivalries in all of professional sports.
But in the lead-up to the big series, Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes ruffled the feathers of the Red Sox fanbase by saying that the rivalry isn't as strong as it used to be. Specifically, Cortes expressed his belief that their rivalries between the Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays were stronger while saying that the Red Sox "haven't been who they really are the last couple years."
Well, the Red Sox got the chance to throw it back at Cortes and the Yankees. On Sunday, Boston defeated New York 3-2 after 10 innings to not only get the victory but get the series win, taking two of three.
Let's just say that Red Sox fans didn't hold back when trolling the Yankees and Cortes.
Red Sox fans troll Yankees and Nestor Cortes after winning the first head-to-head series of the season
Cortes' comments provided bulletin board material for the Boston fanbase. While the Red Sox did struggle in 2020 and 2022, they eliminated and embarrassed the Yankees in the 2021 Wild Card Game.
On Sunday, Boston got on the board first after a solo home run by Justin Turner in the top of the second inning. But in the bottom frame, the Yankees picked up two runs on a single by catcher Jose Trevino. Those would be the only runs the Yankees would score for the entire game, and Boston would capitalize later on.
In the seventh inning, Enrique Hernandez hit a single off relief pitcher Michael King, but was able to reach second base after lackadaisical effort from second baseman Gleyber Torres, who didn't reach for outfielder Billy McKinney's throw, and the baseball sailed passed. Torres was assessed an error on the game. Hernadez reached third on a sac bunt by Pablo Lopez, and scored the tying run after a ground out by Jarren Durran.
The game would go to extra innings, and Hernandez played hero after his single allowed Adam Duvall to reach home from second base. Chris Martin closed things out by forcing McKinney to flyout, and Trevino and Anthony Volpe to strikeout swinging.
The Red Sox have bragging rights so far, but these two teams will meet again next weekend in Boston.