The Red Sox put up six runs in the first inning against New York on Sunday night, helping lead them to a sweep-avoiding win at Fenway Park. 

The Boston Red Sox out-muscled the New York Yankees 6-4 on Sunday night at Fenway Park, earning a critical win as they look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

With 82 wins, Boston is now in the second wild card position, where they are 1.5 games back of the Yankees for the top spot. Furthermore, they are one game ahead of the Houston Astros, who are in the third wild card position. Boston is three games clear of the Texas Rangers, who are the first team out of the playoffs.

The Red Sox got off to a historic start in Sunday's win, doing something they hadn't done in 36 years as part of a six-run first inning.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

First time since July 7, 1989 the Red Sox first 5 batters each got a hit in a game vs Yankees

How the first inning was built

• Jarren Duran led the game off with a triple and then Alex Bregman singled to center field to make it 1-0.
• Trevor Story singled to advance Bregman to second with nobody out.
• Nathaniel Lowe singled to score Bregman, making it 2-0 with runners at first and second.

• Romy Gonzalez doubled to right field to score Story, making it 3-0 with runners at second and third and nobody out.
• Masataka Yoshida hit a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0, with Gonzalez advancing to third base with one out.
• Rob Refsnyder hit into a fielders choice, which scored a run to make it 5-0.
• Carlos Narvaez wrapped up the scoring with a solo home run, his 14th of the season.

Crochet's big night

In addition to the offense's big inning, left-hander Garrett Crochet put together his own big night, striking out 12 batters over six innings. He's now 16-5 on the season with a 2.63 ERA, and he figures to get some Cy Young consideration.

He also made some unique Red Sox history, as noted by Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

Up next

The Red Sox will be off on Monday before taking on the Athletics on Tuesday night. First pitch from Fenway is set for 6:45 p.m. ET.

Rookie left-hander Connelly Early will make his second career start after he dominated the Athletics last week.