Yankees Defeat Red Sox 4-1; Judge Surpasses DiMaggio on Home Run List

Aaron Judge hit his 362nd career home run, surpassing Joe DiMaggio on the Yankees' all-time list, as New York defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Friday night. Luis Gil pitched six no-hit innings, contributing to the Yankees' victory and extending their lead in the American League wild-card race.

Gil (4-1) exited after six innings and 93 pitches without allowing a hit. Reliever Fernando Cruz surrendered a home run to Nate Eaton in the seventh, marking one of Boston's two hits in the game. The Yankees now hold a 1.5-game lead over the Red Sox for the AL's top wild-card berth, which would grant them home-field advantage in the first round of the postseason.

Judge's 468-foot solo home run in the first inning was the longest at Fenway Park since his 470-foot shot last July. In the third inning, after Ben Rice reached first base on catcher's interference, Cody Bellinger hit an RBI single, scoring Judge and increasing New York's lead to 2-0.

Gil recorded four strikeouts and four walks, along with two wild pitches and a balk. David Bednar pitched the ninth inning, earning his 23rd save. Boston's Lucas Giolito (10-4) allowed two runs—one earned—over 5 2/3 innings.

A pivotal moment occurred in the fifth inning when Boston, still hitless, placed runners on first and second with no outs. A double-steal attempt led to a balk by Gil, advancing the runners. However, Gil struck out Ceddanne Rafaela and induced a lineout from Jarren Duran to end the inning without conceding a run.

Carlos Narváez has been called for catcher's interference six times this season, the most in the majors. Yankees manager Aaron Boone believed there was another instance in the first inning but was informed by umpires that he had waited too long to request a review.

The Yankees and Red Sox are scheduled to continue their series on Saturday, with New York's left-hander Max Fried (16-5) set to face Boston's right-hander Brayan Bello (11-6).