Encore in London? Yankees, Red Sox look to follow up wild affair

Tasked with showcasing Major League Baseball in Europe for the first time, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees combined to reach offensive totals rarely seen in their storied rivalry in the first contest of a two-game series.

Now, each team will look to reset on the mound as they face off in their London finale on Sunday.

The Yankees narrowly outslugged the Red Sox 17-13 in Saturday's historic game at hitter-friendly London Stadium. The 30 combined runs were the second most in a game between the two teams, one short of their benchmark reached Aug. 21, 2009, and the offensive explosion lasted 4 hours, 42 minutes -- three minutes short of the modern record for a nine-inning game.

Both teams' starters were knocked out in the first inning for the first time in Red Sox-Yankees history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

"It was like something I've never been a part of," said Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who matched career highs with four hits and five RBIs in the contest.

So, how do they follow it up Sunday? The Red Sox send left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (8-4, 4.87 ERA) to the mound while the Yankees counter with southpaw Stephen Tarpley (0-0, 6.48) to kick off a bullpen game.

Tarpley will be making his first major league start in his 21st appearance of his career.

With Rick Porcello and Masahiro Tanaka getting shelled for Boston and New York, respectively, Saturday, both teams burned through seven relievers. The Yankees led by as much as 17-6, but the Red Sox battled back to within four runs following a six-run seventh.

Boston even sent the tying man to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning, but Marco Hernandez grounded out to end the threat.

"It was one of those games that it felt like there was momentum the whole time," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "We have to do a better job getting people out, being more aggressive and avoiding the big innings."

Rookie Michael Chavis clubbed two three-run homers in the loss, and Jackie Bradley Jr. added a solo shot among four hits to continue his strong June (.306 average, five homers). The Red Sox could take a hit on offense, however, after shortstop Xander Bogaerts exited with a strained left calf sustained while running the bases in the seventh inning.

The Yankees also lost a big bat Saturday when Luke Voit limped into second on his fourth hit and third double of the contest in the fifth. The team announced the injury was tightness in his core muscle, and Voit will be re-evaluated Sunday.

"It's not my groin or my hip flexor. It's weird," said Voit. "I'm going to see the trainer and the doctor tomorrow and I'm going to see what's going to happen."

Rodriguez enters 5-4 with a 3.89 ERA in 14 career appearances (12 starts) against the Yankees. He took a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox his last time out, allowing five runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

New York's win Saturday was its 12th in its last 13 games. Three Yankees hit home runs, extending the team's record streak of consecutive games with a homer to 30.

Boston has dropped four of its last six and now trails by 10 games in the American League East.

--Field Level Media