Carlos Rodón leads Yankees past Red Sox 8-2 in Jazz Chisholm Jr. debut

“It’s a tough series win, especially after that first game,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We’re obviously not where we want to be. There’s a lot of competition in (that locker room).”

New York is up 12-23 after opening 50-22.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. batted fifth, went 1-for-5 with a single, and played center field in his Yankees debut after they acquired him from Miami for three minor leaguers Saturday. He also stole a base and scored late.

“I was super excited,” he said. “Every kid dreams of being a Yankee, it’s the most famous team in baseball.”

Rob Refsnyder and Connor Wong led off the fourth inning with consecutive home runs for the Red Sox, who have lost seven of nine games since the All-Star break.

“I don’t think a nine-game winning streak defines who we are,” said manager Alex Cora.

Aaron Judge had an RBI single for the Yankees after reaching base six times, a career-high, in their 11-8, 10-inning comeback win Saturday. He homered in each of the first two games of the series.

Rodón (11-7) allowed two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out seven and walking one. He has held opponents to three or fewer runs in 17 of 22 starts this year.

“The offense started with three runs,” Rodón said, “that was a great way to show, three early runs and just pitching with an edge and attacking the zone.”

Oswaldo Cabrera hit a two-run double in the eighth inning to break open the game against former Yankees reliever Greg Weissert.

For the second straight day, the Yankees scored three runs in the first inning.

But unlike the first two games of the series, where the teams combined for 35 runs and the lead was lost in the closing stages, they managed to hold on.

Alex Verdugo led off the game with a double against All-Star Tanner Houck (8-7) and scored on Judge’s single inside first base. Austin Wells hit a ground-rule double before Torres singled to right.

“I would say my stuff hasn’t been as good as I’d like it to be lately,” Houck said. “When that happens, execution is the most important thing. I haven’t executed as well, but I’ve fought.”

New York leads the majors with 78 runs in the first inning and is 42-15 when they score first.

Houck gave up four runs, three earned, in six innings.

Refsnyder and Wong both homered for the Green Monsters, cutting the lead to 4-2. However, Rodón left Rafael Devers stranded at third base after he tripled with no outs.

Danny Jansen was the designated hitter for the Red Sox, a day after they acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays for three minor leaguers. He had two singles and a walk.

“That’s a nice part of it, just to compete with my new teammates,” he said before the game.

Yankees: Boone said slugger Giancarlo Stanton is eligible to be activated from the injured list on Monday in Philadelphia. Stanton has not played since straining his left hamstring while running the bases on June 22. … OF Jasson Domínguez went 1 for 5 with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in his second game back from an oblique injury. He also was 1 for 5 on Friday, serving as the DH in both games. … Chisholm slipped on the bag at second and struck the back of Boston second baseman Romy Gonzalez’s face, but Chisholm remained in the game.

Red Sox: Cora said 1B Triston Casas will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday. He has been out since mid-April with a rib injury.

Yankees: RHP Luis Gil (10-5, 3.10 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series at Philadelphia on Monday. RHP Zack Wheeler (10-4, 2.55) goes for the Phillies.

Red Sox: RHP Nick Pivetta (4-7, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled to start the first of three games against Seattle at Fenway Park on Monday. RHP Logan Gilbert (6-6, 2.72) is the scheduled starter for the Mariners.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb